《Sword Pilgrim》 Chapter 1 Chapter 1 Three years. Under the heavy rain pouring down like the tears of a god, he pressed his hood down and walked in a hurry. Three years. It has been that way since I started living here. If you say its short, its short; if you say its long, its long. But I can assure you. These three years have never left me any happy memories. For Valtherus!! For our God Lactus! A sharp sword creates death, and death piles up the corpses like a mountain. And then those corpses, again C Are refined into swords. Three years ago. I became a Pilgrim in such a cruel world. Caw! Caw! Shoo! Feeling a presence, the crow that was feeding on the flesh of the corpses stirred its wings and flew away. The green meadows were stained with blood and devastated by the aftermath of the war. A scenery that was unforgivingly bleak. The corpses stretched over it had become mountains; and the hungry beasts as well as the humans who were not any better stared at each other and took advantage of it. Uh, hey. Hey. Look over there. A Pilgrim. Its true. The rosary of the sword hanging from his neck and the stigma on the back of his hand. Hes a real Pilgrim. Unlike the wild beasts that dig up corpses only to fill their stomachs, the figures of the children who came to collect money were being reflected in the gray pupils. a Pilgrim of the Sword. He wore a pure white hood, but the shock of jet-black hair glimpsed under it was impressive. The sharp gray eyes that could be seen through them looked like something not of an ordinary human being. The necklace hanging from his neck was a rosary. The stigma of a god in the shape of a sword was on the back of his hand. These people were often seen on the battlefields. Followers of Valtherus. Pilgrims who wander around in search of a sword at the call of the Gods. Or C Sword madmen. A child who had been rummaging through the bodies quickly threw a stone. It flew in a long parabolic arc, but the stone thrown with the power of a child fell helplessly at the feet of the Pilgrim. Get out of here, you swordsman! Famine and poverty caused by war inherit its violence. The resentful gazes that had no choice but to blame someone in order to survive turned to the Pilgrim. The childrens faces were furious with hateful frowns, but their faltering legs were mired in fear. The children flinched as the indifferent gray eyes stared at them. This war happened because of you crazy people, who turned the princess into a sword!! Yeah, thats right! Get out of here! Its all because of you! A devotee of swords who worshiped only swords and the God Valtherus. Only one thing mattered to them. The divine power that grants miracles. We dont have a body to offer someone like you!! Fuck off right now!! To draw the soul out of a body that has lost its warmth and turn it into a sword. That is the power of God. The only power that Valtherus gave them. Carcass Sword (??) C Resident Sword (v).[1] Its also called a miracle. Sword Pilgrims. Priests who perform miracles by turning the corpses of the dead into swords. That is what it means to be a Pilgrim of the Sword. You guys turned people into swords and this is what happened! Gods miracle is exceptionally discriminatory, so the power of the sword differed depending on who was the origin of the sword. There were many Pilgrims who secretly killed people with great potential and turned them into swords. Whenever there were any neighbors who disappeared without a sound, it was not a few people who suspected it to be the work of a Pilgrim Those who had heard of the notoriety of the Pilgrims or whose family had been taken away naturally did not like the people who performed these divine miracles. Rather, they C Devil!! They called them devils and despised them. A follower of God being called a devil, what could be more contemptuous than this? However, this Pilgrim went on his way without answering, as if he was long used to these insults. The children, who had been staring at him as if he was not even human, returned to searching the mountain of corpses. It was then. Hiiiing! The harsh sound of horseshoes rumbled across the ground. Pilgrim of the Gods who serves the great Valtherus! Stop for a moment! The Knight in the vanguard stopped at the Pilgrims feet and said with a loud voice. The Knight, who came all the way to the front of the Pilgrim, did not even get off his horse and spoke with a dignified posture. O Son of the great Valtherus, you who have entered the territory of Lutens. In the name of the Lord of the Western Provinces, Quardal de Lutens, you are invited to the Lords castle. The Pilgrims eyes gazed upon the Knights. The level of the Knights was high, and their spirit high enough to pierce the skies. Perhaps they had just won the war. They behaved like you had no choice but to follow their order. The Pilgrims eyes narrowed coldly. Dry lips parted. Only the God Valtherus can block a Pilgrims way. Move aside. An obvious refusal. The Knights immediately drew their swords as if they had known in advance. Sreung! We need a Pilgrim. You dont need a Pilgrim, but a miracle from God. Thats right. The Lord wants to turn all the corpses here into swords. Are you going to start another war just after all this killing? Youre crazy. Taking someones life means also creating a thread of resentment. Blood calls for more blood. A new war will cause nothing but that. The Pilgrim shook his head. Im sorry, but were desperate too. I wont listen to your refusal. A huge amount of money had been spent to prepare for the war. To make up for that amount C The Lord was trying to catch the Pilgrims passing through his estate. To turn the corpses piled up like a mountain into swords with the miracle of Valtherus! If only there were Pilgrims, that would be possible. Youre doing something that deserves punishment. Arent you afraid of Gods wrath? For us, the enemy before our eyes takes precedence over the wrath of God. The Pilgrims mouth closed. The status of the God worshiped by this Kingdom on the road to destruction had long since fallen to the ground. Looking at him standing in silence, the Knight at the vanguard poured out more unanswered words. Of course, we will treat you with the utmost respect. With the war approaching, of course, it will be insufficient, but I will do my best to serve you. Are you tired of the long pilgrimage? It wouldnt be bad to settle down for a while and then leave again. Does the Pilgrims divine power seem infinite? Itd be better to stop using it right away. The moment the Pilgrim was about to take another step. Thump. Taeeng, tang! An iron helmet fell from the mountain of corpses. Who! Was there a thief? The Knights eyes, cold as frost, pierced the child hiding among the corpses. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. Hey! He was the child who had spoken the contemptuous words to the Pilgrim. He was crushed by the Knights spirit and could not even escape. The bounty here belongs to Lutens. Pay for the crime of stealing with your life. The Knight took out his bow, pulled the bowstring and fired an arrow. The arrow flew through the wind and pierced the childs heart. The eyes of the child who died without a single scream reached the Pilgrim. It was a futile death. However, there was no emotion in the Pilgrims eyes. Children die and old people die. Its just a matter of being late or early. Just when he wanted to quietly look away. The Pilgrims eyes changed completely. The body of the dead child gleamed with a silvery light that only he could recognize. Pilgrim The gaze of the Knight who had shot the arrow turned to the Pilgrim again. But the Pilgrim was nowhere to be found. When the Knight looked for where he had gone, he had already come closer to the child who was losing his warmth. The moment the Knights were about to move. The man who appeared to be their leader raised his hand and blocked them. Its a miracle of God. Saaaa. Grains of silver light flowed from the body of the dead child. The light gathered at the Pilgrims fingertips soon condensed and formed a single shape. A double-edged sword. However, it was different from a normal sword. The edge of its blade was shining a dazzling blue. The Knights knew. That was the miracle of Valtherus for which they had displayed such cynic anticipation. The only power He bestowed. A Carcass Sword! The eyes of the Knights who witnessed the light of miracles became sharp. If only that miracle If you could arm the soldiers with Carcass Swords that were stronger than steel, victory in war could be guaranteed. The Knights eyes were dyed with greed. Pilgrim, However, the Pilgrim did not answer their call. He was still looking at the sword emitting a soft light. And when the light faded. The Pilgrims mouth opened. Obviously, its a grudge? The Knight-Captains eyebrows narrowed. Grudge? What grudge are you talking about? He wanted to ask right away, but couldnt. Because that was then. Shhh. The figure of the Pilgrim disappeared with the light sound of the wind. Huh! The Knight-Captain was surprised for a while. Uh. His gaze rotated. He saw his own body atop his horse, and then he fell to the floor. Oh! Captain! The head of the Knight-Captain had been cut off. The cries of the Knights and their horses resounded in amazement. Get revenge for the leader! Catch the Pilgrim! Chaeeng-! The Pilgrims sword swung. The Carcass Sword in his hand broke a Knights sword and ripped his iron armor at once. There was an overwhelming difference between their weapons. The Pilgrim thought cynically. After a while C Drip, drip. Only the drops of blood running down the Pilgrims Carcass Sword could be heard across the calm and desolate plain. Saaaa. A silver light leaked from the sword held by the Pilgrim. Soon, the shape of the sword scattered like ashes and disappeared. The Pilgrim left the vanishing sword behind him as if nothing happened and quietly continued walking along the road. Light shone through the stigma on the back of his hand, which symbolized his status as a Pilgrim of Valtherus. [Centes grudge] [Strength +1] A faint smile spread across the Pilgrims lips and then disappeared. Editors Notes: [1] The characters used for this is ?? (? is also used for Sword) C from now on this will be translated as Carcass Sword for clarity. This is being changed from Corpse Sword as the author specifies the term later. The term will also be used for the lowest grade of such swords. Chapter 2 Chapter 2 Three years ago. In the name of the great Valtherus, I appoint you as a Pilgrim of the Sword. Inside the Valtherus Church. Callius. I hand you the stigma and the mark of Valtherus The stigma will caress the back of your hand to prove that you are a Son of God. The token will hang on your neck and make you feel that your Father is watching over you. Do not forget that finding your sword is the Pilgrims purpose on his pilgrimage. The stigma was stamped on the back of the hand. The rosary was hung over his neck. Ah. I was reborn as Callius, a devotee of Valtherus and a Pilgrim of the Sword. And then I found out C That this world of my rebirth was a world I myself had made. [The Pilgrims Path] A large game project that I participated in producing. There, Id taken on the role of the story writer and producer, and the game had been nearing completion. Killed. I cant remember why I was killed. But the cold feel of the blade stabbing my back and the cool feeling of my throat being cut still haunt me. Thats it. I was killed. And C Reborn. That was one fact I discovered while wandering around. I had no choice but to know. Because all the characters in this world were created by me. Callius. Even the existence of the person who I had now become is something I created. So I couldnt not know. As it had been a large-scale project, the story occupied a huge part. A production period spanning ten years. Each character had a story to tell. If it had been any other game, I wouldnt have done that. But in [The Pilgrims Path], I had no choice but to do so. This was because the beginning of the game itself was to turn dead characters into swords. People became weapons. [The Pilgrims Path] started from that idea. Even an NPC in a small town without a name. As long as you are alive, you can turn anything into a weapon. Because of that setting, I had to write the story of all the characters, so I easily realized that this was the world of the game I was involved in. And thanks to that, I knew. Who should I turn into a Carcass. Who should I turn into a Carcass, to increase my chances of surviving? The stats vary greatly depending on what and who the Carcasss is made of. Presence and potential in life. And by summing up the influence it has on the world, the cadavers ability is determined. The more it occupies a large part in the story, the better it is when turned into a sword, and its ability to control the supremacy of the world, isnt it natural? The Carcass from an unnamed person is usually slightly stronger than an ordinary sword. But for soldiers on the battlefield. The rule is a little different. There are five grades among swords. Carcass (?), Life (?), Spirit (?), Vision (?) and then at the end. The divine sword called God. My purpose is to obtain the divine sword and save my life from the Pilgrims and the imperial pagans who are aiming for the Carpe Kingdom. And if you can . To resurrect God. I have a small hope that Valtherus may know why I came here. But right now, the reality is that even just saving my own life is difficult. At least, five years from now. Within five years, the Kingdom of Carpe will be destroyed by the exiled pagan gods and their followers, and the god Valtherus and his followers will all be annihilated. I am also a Pilgrim of Valtherus. I cant get away from their eyes. Because I cant even apostatize with this body. Jet black hair, gray pupils. Jervain, one of the seven sacred families resembling the appearance of the God. I am the one living the life of Callius von Jervain. If one with with such a striking appearance apostatizes, he would be killed by the Church before the followers of the pagan god had a chance. If theres one thing thats fortunate. Because I was the author. Most of the story of this unfinished game was written by me. Callius. Links and ties to this body. And even the stories related to that relationship are woven together. Five years remain until the fall of the Kingdom. In that time, I must find a way to protect myself. There are two main ways. I wonder if I could find a strong sword and become stronger. If not, I can only ask the sword. It is a way to listen to the Verse of Grace (??) C Corpse Grace (ƶ)[1] and increase your power as a reward. Seuuk. Among the corpses at my feet. I see it with my eyes. The bitterness she embraced while she was alive shines like the soft moonlight, exuding its presence. Invisible to ordinary Pilgrims, who are strengthened by wielding swords and practicing devotion. However, I am different. Because thats what I see C A corpse with grudges entangled. If you turn this into a Carcass, another growth method is possible. That is, Verse of Grace (??) C Corpse Grace (ƶ). Secret Quest. Bodily grace. Among the many corpses lying at my feet. I shall turn the corpse with the strongest hate into a Carcass. And if I fulfill their wish, they give me the strength I need. I dont know what would be given. Because the reward design of the quests was not under my jurisdiction. For the past three years, I have achieved basic growth by listening to the stories of these trivial corpses and relieving them over and over again. Thanks to that, I was able to beat the knights on the battlefield with my bare hands, and even able to turn the beasts of the frontier into pieces of meat without any weapons. But Im still not satisfied. If its only to this extent, its far from being able to deal with the fanatics of the Empire. Saa. A silver light shines, and a new form is born in my grasp. Click. Is it a rapier? A thin and long rapier. The width is three centimeters. Its length is one meter and forty. Its well-balanced, flexible, and at the same time quite strong. It was a Carcass close to a Life Sword. Rapier it was here. I didnt know her face as she was wearing a helmet. However, looking at the condition of the sword, it seems that the potential during her lifetime was not bad. I looked at the rapier. The soft light emanating from it began to tell me the wish of its life. It could be said to be easy to express, but it is not. Their anger just enters my head and shows what they want. The wishes of those who died in the turbulence of the era are all usually the same. An unjust death wants revenge. Or the regret of what was left behind. Im picking up something thats bothering me. The memories of the Carcass flowing into my mind revealed the appearance of a castle and its many faces. Among them, the blonde child who looked like a son was the clearest. Maybe this time C Should I find your son? It was the regret of a mother who was worried about the son she had left behind. Torrett, a small estate located near the northwestern border. Its too small to be called a manor, and its more like a rural village. There are traces of the rapiers owner living here. Callius looked around the estate a little and strode towards the Lords castle. The residents who glanced at him murmured that it was a Pilgrim. Theyre not rejecting me. They werent throwing stones, so it was already fortunate enough. Unless it was a noblemans mansion, the treatment was up to the public, so Calius sighed involuntarily. The way he was relieved by not having stones thrown at him welled up some sadness in his heart. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. Pilgrim, take this. ? He took a moment to breathe. A little girl had brought a wild flower and handed it to him. Callius thoughts stopped at the first gift of flowers he had ever received. The memories of the past three years, when stones and knives were all that came, flashed past him like a lantern. Did the Pilgrim also come to catch the bad guys who torment our village? The girl who gave him a look with her bright eyes, seemed to have a high affinity for the Pilgrims. Callius, who had been dazed, soon returned to focus. Another Pilgrim? There are parts that can be inferred from the girls words. Are there any other Pilgrims besides me? Callius eyes sharpened. Yes! He cleared out the bandits in Torrett! So its very easy for us to go out of town now. Hey, Eri! Dont bother the Pilgrim! One of the townspeople called out the girls name and bowed his head to Callius. The girl named Eri started to leave with a smile, but Callius stopped her. Where is the Pilgrim now? Staying in the Lords castle! Bye-bye then! Eri disappeared, and Callius started running straight to the Lords castle. Pilgrims dont do favors. The Pilgrims of the Order of Valtherus do not offer unpaid favors. Why should a Church that only has the talent to turn corpses into swords do anything for the poor residents? The only purpose of a Pilgrim is the sword. A stronger sword. A more powerful sword. Only that. So, if the Pilgrim did a favor, there was a good reason. If you do this wrong . Verse of Grace. Lords castle. Pilgrim. In an instant, assumptions were put together in his mind. Power entered the rapier in his hand. Uh, uh! What are you! Passing by the guards guarding the gate, he jumped over the fence. After three years of training, he could achieve this much with ease. Whik! Thud! Taat! People screamed as they saw Callius rushing like the wind. Who are you! It was not a soldier guarding the Lords castle. The condition of the armor is not good. It looked like he was wearing something picked up somewhere with leather padding. His face was full of scars, and he was not clean, rather dirty. Mercenaries. What are you doing! Stop him!! Caliuss hands clenched into fists and leaned behind his body. And shot forward. Whoo! Ouch! A mercenary dropped down after being hit by Callius fist and rolled to the ground. When the large man was laid out with a single blow, others started to panic. Die! Gag - He grabbed the neck of a mercenary who had come running with a weapon and raised it. Chi! The mans face turned red as if he was choking. A worthless mercenary. In addition, the physical abilities that had been developed through quests over the past three years were not at a level that idiots like this could withstand. Where is the Pilgrim? Callius hoped it wasnt what he thought it was. But it kept coming to his mind. I think I wrote this kind of story. I cant remember exactly, but I think I wrote something similar to this. After writing the side stories for at least ten years, it is natural that I cant remember everything. But the young Lord. A Pilgrim aiming for that Lord. Nothing comes to mind C Woah, in the office with the Lord Crazy! Why did you say that! But the captain is going to die. Thump! Callius put down the mercenary called the leader, and quickly ran towards the office. You dont have to do this, but . Click. A rapier hanging from the waist. There is no scabbard on it. A scabbard is where the sword returns to. However, a scabbard does not exist for the Carcass. Because the sword is meant to return to the bosom of the Gods in the end. Callius pulled out the rapier and kicked open the door to the office. Bang! And what he saw C Ah. It was a young Lord with a sword pointed at the tip of his chin, and an unknown Pilgrim holding that sword. Editors Notes: [1] Si-Eun (??) is being translated as Verse of Grace. Chapter 3 Chapter 3 The Pilgrims of Valtherus. Sword Pilgrims. The funereal priests who are called Pilgrims have little to no cooperation among each other. Even if there is, it is only something that appears from the outside. If you look inside, its all really ugly. Because C Are you here for my sword, Brother? But Im sorry. Youre one step late. Each and every one of them is extremely selfish when it comes to swords. Even if they have no desire for anything else, when it comes to swords, the Pilgrims are far more obsessed than they care about their own Brothers. Callius laughed inwardly. The guy had a sweet mouth, but the joy that shone in his eyes could not be hidden. Hes hostile. The guy wants C To turn the Lord into a sword. And then take that sword and turn me, another Pilgrim, into a sword too! The miracle of Valtherus, which was created to relieve the pain of the dead, has long since changed its meaning. Therefore, Pilgrims who have the same goal do not seek to achieve it together. Ironically, Pilgrims C They show the best aptitude to be turned into a Carcass. Divine power is essential to unleash the miracle of the Gods from which the Carcass is made. So, a priest can be said to be a vessel that contains that divine power itself. A Sword Pilgrim therefore is the best material to make a powerful Carcass. As a result, the Pilgrims implicitly target each other. There are even some people who fight openly, so it is natural that the people of the Empire do not view the Pilgrims in a good light. However, it is inevitable that the Valtherus Church, which is drunk on the faded glory of the past, thinks it is Gods wish to have the best sword. Isnt this the idiot Arsando? Arsando Mirinae! No, whats your name? Pilgrims often kill others that show the aptitude for being made into Carcasses, but usually only at the border regions near the empire. The young lord of the neighbouring estate C Now I remember. The settings and stories I wrote over one night began to come back to my mind. Leone, the young lord of Torrett. The mother who had marched into war to save the crumbling estate dies, and the remaining vassals rob the valuables and run away. Left alone, Leone weeps and tries hard to become the new Lord and revive the estate. He was troubled by the bandits, but then he found the mine they had occupied and got a breather. But only for a while. It was a story about a Pilgrim who helped clear out the bandits, who realized Leones potential, killed him, and turned him into a Carcass. . Callius sat slumped on the floor and looked down at Leone, who was looking back at him. I came here for nothing. When the story he had written became a reality and unfolded like this, he felt somewhat reluctant. I dont know how you know my name, but seeing that you keep staying here, it seems that you have no intention of going back. Unfortunately, I have something to do with that little boy. Leone slowly approached Callius. The little kid had some sense. Well, thats enough to be targeted by Pilgrims, though. Thats a shame. To think itd cause a fight between Brothers! Saak! Hey! Chaeng! Kkig! Kkigigig! Arsandos sword, which was aimed at Leone, was blocked by the rapier. The sound of clashing swords sharply pierced his ear, as if scratching an iron plate. Your eyes are far too excited to say that youre sorry. Rather, it was an exuberant face, as if things were going well. Im sorry, Brother! Its the first time I shall turn a Brother into a Carcass, so I cant control myself! Kuung! Kkig! Kkigigig! Its a pretty heavy sword. Greatsword. A wide and long two-handed sword. It is heavy and cannot be handled freely, but each blow is mighty. Not very compatible C When I have a rapier. The rapier is a thin and long sword optimized for stabbing. If you make a mistake parrying that greatsword, it will break at once. The tooth is already starting to degrade. Try it once! Kwadangtangtang! Dodging the blow, Callius swung the rapier into the air and took a moment to catch his breath. Tough. There is a crack in the rapier. Even with the same grade of Carcass, the difference in compatibility is inevitably obvious. If it collides with another sword that pushes with such force, the blade of the sword will naturally degrade. And the more you do that, the more it will break. Power or speed, is the difference between the two swords. Shall we do it? Not very compatible C But theres nothing that cant be done. Woo. The desk shattered and dust flew. A pile of papers scattered and fluttered in the air between them. Salang, salang. Through the papers falling down in the wind, the figure of the man can be seen. Although his face was full of joy, he properly raised his heavy sword. The tip of the sword cut through the dust and drew a light arc. Then at once C Kwaaang! A hit. You bastard! It looked like an angry bull rushing. The force of the striking sword was as if a huge rock was pounding down. Salang. The fluttering papers drifted between them and obscured the view. Once again, Arsandos sword was raised. Step. Huh! You idiot. It looked like he didnt think about the reach of the sword. His sword hit the ceiling, revealing a gap. That gap C Callius didnt miss it. Taat! Kwajik! Callius steps slammed against the office floor and rushed forward. The rapier pulled by the waist was sharp as an arrow and powerful as a spear. Chwasss! The rapier pierced the papers that was fluttering between them. Kuh! The tip of the sword approached right in front of the opponent in an instant. Arsandos head moved. Woo! It was a great act of reflex. The sound of bones creaking in his neck from how hard he twisted it, was the proof. An arc was drawn on Arsandos lips, avoiding the majority of the blow. Stupid. But as if even that was a trick, Callius took back the sword and moved in a strange orbit. Seug. Tuk. Aaaaaah!! An arm fell to the floor. Callius opened his mouth, wiping the blood off his sword. It was an honest sword. He looked like a weasel, but his swordsmanship was very honest. Just stab and hit. An honest swordsmanship without any finesse. It was a heavy sword that struck only with force. However, Callius was able to bring forth victory with ease. Thats why the greatsword is so bad. If you lose an arm, you cant fight. Ahh! Aaaaaaaaaaaah! Arsando Mirinae. He tried to hold the sword with his remaining arm, but to no avail. Even holding it with two hands was slow, how could he fight with one hand? Those eyes! Those gray eyes! You must be Jervain!? Callius eyes narrowed in a frown. Arsandos red, bloodshot eyes seemed to have witnessed the impossible. Arsando could not understand. If hes really Callius von Jervain, then this couldnt have happened. There was no way Callius von Jervain could have shown such a sword. How did Jervains Scapegrace become able to wield such a sword!! You dont need to know, since youre going to die soon. Chwasss! Tuk, degrrr. Its not good if the body is severely damaged but what can you do? Callius spoke disrespectful words, but even so, Arsando was a Pilgrim. The strongest opponent hed met in a long time. If it had been a Pilgrim other than Callius, and if the place had not been a small and cramped office, the fight would not have been so easy. When Arsando died, the sword he had been holding fell down. Hmm whats this? It doesnt matter. The rapiers condition was also miserable. It had to fight against the same grade of Carcass, and the compatibility was not very good, so cracks had formed here and there. It couldnt be used anymore. Leone. Yes, yes? How do you know my name This is your mother. Callius put the rapier in front of Leone. Yes? Mother. My mother died in the Lutens Plains I speak in the name of Callius, Son of Valtherus and Pilgrim of the Sword. This is your mothers Carcass. Your mother C She wanted to come back. Thats probably why. I think she was trying to protect you. Leone stretched out his hand towards the rapier with surprised eyes. In the fierce battle before, the blade had been damaged at several places, and cracks could be seen. Wounded. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. It was as if it had come from the battlefield where his mother died. No, it was like as if his mother herself who had fought an arduous battle and died. Leones eyes reddened. Instantly, hot tears ran down his cheeks and wet the floor. Leones tears dripped down on the floor of the dusty office. Mother? He held the rapier with hands trembling like an aspen. Saaaa. As if it had been waiting, the rapier began to turn into grains of silver light. Ah. A shimmering silver breeze of light flew in the wind to the window of the office. Leone trudged towards the window to see the disappearing ray of light. No, he looked at his mother. [Leonaire Torretts regrets.] [Divine Power +2] Callius looked at the disappearing Leonaire and was startled. Ugh!! Intense pain soon followed. One more stroke begins to be engraved on the stigma on the back of the hand. Why, why are you like this. Pilgrim!! Keuuuugh! Callius knelt down and grabbed his wrist, sweat dripping down his body. In return for the completion of the quest, the divine power rose, and this must be evidence that the level was rising even higher. A single stroke was drawn on the shape of the stigmata, which had previously been in the form of a simple sword, and it began to change shape. A crescent-like stroke was added to what was originally a sword-shaped stigma. Uh huh. A silver light spread like flames from Callius body, and sooner a purer divine power rose though him like a fire. Haha. The body became more comfortable. The divine power rose. Although there were many times when physical abilities increased, this is the first time that he received divine power as a reward. Divine power is literally a token of faithfulness to the God you worship. The corners of Callius lips rose. The amount of divine power directly increased greatly and became purer. As the grade increased, the physical level also rose as a whole. He was lucky. Callius von Jervain Occupation C Pilgrim. Spirit C Level 4 Divine Power C 2971/3251. Talent C [Bards Blessing C Best] Characteristics C [Verse of Grace] [Nobilitys Duty] [Scapegrace Count] [Four Verse Composition (????) C Die Not Before the Hour (r)][1] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony] [Ability] Strength C 19+(10) Agility C 15+(10) Skill C 7 Health C 15+(10) Faith C 20 Until now, Callius divine power had been level 5. This time it seemed to have risen to 4th grade. The level of divine power is a measure of the Pilgrims spirit. The higher the level of divine power, the higher the body level of the believer C exponentially higher. Depending on the level of his spirit, the body gradually changes to be closer to God.[2] As the quality of divine power goes up, strength, agility, and health also go up. After clenching and opening his fists with satisfaction, Callius glanced at the corpse of the man lying in the corner. Knowing that the level of divine power had risen, it was time to make a Carcass. Arsandos severed arm and head were roughly joined together and his hand reached out. O Great Valtherus, let the forsaken twilight burn in the dawn. Slurp. As pure divine power radiated from his fingertips, a strange wind flowed from Arsandos body. Soon, his body was enveloped in a halo, and a sword formed in Calliuss hand. Oh. A Carcass with a darker blue blade than before was made. A blue blade like that meant a Life Sword. The dark blue blade of the Carcass proved this. Life Sword. It was the first time Callius had made a sword from a Pilgrim. The first Life Sword he had ever held in his hand. It was a sword that seemed to stick to the hand from its sense of grip. Thats why you have to have good gear. Arsando. Verse of Grace didnt come out of him, but it didnt matter. He had no intention of doing that anyway. Callius, who had put Arsando roughly around his waist, saw the young lord Leone, who was still smiling in tears. But its amazing. This wasnt the original story. I should have killed both Leone and the Pilgrim so that the player could benefit . Leone didnt die. Originally, he was an unlucky character who got caught up in a fight and died after being struck by a sword. In addition, his potential was high, so if Leone himself were made into a Carcass, it would have the aptitude to be even better than a Life Sword. But he didnt die. What kind of change is this? Callius looked at Leone with strange eyes. Should I kill you? A sword that is better than a Life Sword might come out. I cant remember the exact setting, but theres nothing wrong with having one more high-level Carcass. Hmm. But Callius, who was thinking with his arms crossed, let out a deep sigh. Hes a poor guy. I feel sorry for him, but at the same time, Im curious as to what will happen. Leones potential is more than a Life Sword. If I leave this guy alone, how will he grow, and what kind of impact that will have on this world. Callius wondered. How long are you going to cry? I returned your mother to you and saved your life. At least serve me some food and drink. Yes, of course, yes? Alcohol? Leone was taken aback by the bold request that didnt seem like it had come from a priest. I want some wine. Editors Notes: [1] ???? is being translated as Four Verse Composition. [2] ?? is being translated as Spirit, ??? as Divine Power. Chapter 4 Chapter 4 Carradi, the capital of the Carpe Kingdom. The Bishops from all the branches of the Church were gathered in the magnificent Valtherus Cathedral in the capital. Bang! No, dont you know that those scoundrels are stirring up trouble in the North right now! But youre sending an inquisitor to the West in this situation, what the hell are you talking about! The one speaking was Alvato, a Bishop in the moderate camp. His shiny bald head had heated up so much that it had turned red. The reason was the radical Bishop Milliman on the other side. If you keep heating up like that, soon youd be a head short. A vein jumped on Alvatos forehead. Its just annoying to see that green onion hair of yours. Still, its better to complain about something thats there compared to something thats not there. Heh heh. If you dont want me to pluck all that hair out today, youll have to answer my questions, Bishop Milliman! Bang! Milliman coughed at the sound of Alvato seriously hitting the table. If we dont protect the northern part of Carpe, its obvious that the Church will collapse! Why should we focus on the desolate West? Bishop Milliman responded as if it was natural, wiping away his voluminous hair and long beard, which differed from Alvato. Wasnt the North originally like that as well? Its also the breeding season for demons, and its a time when the White Forest is noisy. Besides, theres no evidence that heretics have appeared in the North, unlike the West. Bishop Milliman and the other extremist Bishops beside him all nodded their heads and agreed. Hmmmm Unfortunately, what he said was true. The northernmost part of the Kingdom is a barren land, always full of snow and monsters. No matter how crazy the Pilgrims of Valtherus are with their swords, there are few faithful ones who make pilgrimages there. So it always took time to get reports on the exact situation, and the evidence the extremists were talking about was also unclear. But thats not the case in the West. There have been reports and signs of paganism already in the West. Besides. The fact is that the fate of Arsando, who was sent to Torrett to investigate the rumours of a sacred object of Valtherus, became unclear. If you look at the Acushium, you cant see him anymore. One of the relics of the Valtherus Church. Acushium. Bishop Alvato turned his gaze towards the Acushium lying in the middle of the great round table. Acushium, the holy relic of light that embraces the miracle of the god Valtherus. At the center of the round table was a circular indentation filled with water. Numerous colourful lights danced in the water, and the terrain of the Kingdom was marked with waves. Different colours of light according to the level of divine power indicated the location of the Pilgrims. Bishop Milliman of the West. He said while pointing his finger at the Torrett area. Of course, Arsando was a Pilgrim with level 5 holy power. But everyone here knows that his swordsmanship and holy power were quite high to be called just a level 5. However. That Arsando is dead. Arsandos light disappeared last night. Its not clear whether he went to the gods or became a Carcass. But, Bishop Milliman. There were two lights indicating Pilgrims in Torrett. If one of them disappeared, its also possible that there was a sword duel. Sword duel. Two Pilgrims fight with their swords, check each others skills, and then decide the winner. That said, in the end, both participants are blinded by the prospect of making an excellent sword, so it wouldnt end with a nice cup of tea. But despite Bishop Alvatos objection, Bishop Milliman once again pointed to a light in Torrett. This light is the light of Callius. Callius!? You mean that bastard of the Jervain family? Milliman shook his head slowly. Youve all heard the story. Callius von Jervain. Son of the Supreme Ruler of the North, Count Jervain. The eldest son of the Jervain family which was renowned for its swordsmanship. And C The bastard of the Jervain family. Yes. Pilgrim Callius was quite famous within the Order. Callius von Jervain. His father, Count Jervain, who was a famous northern swordsman, had wanted the Valtherus Church to take care of his eldest son. The Church was initially delighted with the huge donation, but soon had no choice but to cry. It was because Callius naughty behaviour was beyond their imagination. Callius, that idiot bastard and scapegrace, was quite a troublemaker even within the Church. The moderate Bishop Alvato recalled five years ago. The abandoned eldest son of Jervain. Despite being the eldest son of Jervain, who are called master swordsman, he had no talent for swords, and was full of the arrogance and pretentiousness typical of aristocrats. He had no prowess, and he often ignored religious members from within the Church as well as commoners, flaunting the pride of the family at his back. Wouldnt it be nice if that was all? There was a large number of people who left the church because Callius constantly harassed and humiliated the religious in every way. And as if even that wasnt enough, Callius gathered the sons of noble families within the Church and went around doing all the bad things that could be done within the Church. When he became a Pilgrim and went on a pilgrimage, the whole Church celebrated with naked joy. He cant still be alive Yes? Oh, nothing. Alvato corrected the words that he had unwittingly spat out. But what about it. Why does Arsandos death and the existence of Callius lead to sending inquisitors? Bishop Milliman shook his head in response to Alvatos words. Bishop Alvato. What are you trying to say? Bishop, do you think Callius can defeat Arsando with his sword? That. Impossible. Callius, who had no talent in swordsmanship, even if he died and resurrected, could not have defeated Arsando. Arsando was a Pilgrim with a promising talent within the Church. How could Callius win a fight against him? He had a history of fighting against monks half his age. His swordsmanship skills were comparable to that of a young monk. So how could he beat Arsando? I think its impossible. It was absurd. However. Of course, it could have been an accident. But, more than him beating the odds, Im more convinced of the existence of heresy, as reported earlier. So what you truly mean is Callius and the heathens. There was an ominous suspicion that there was some connection between them. Do you remember Lutheon? The marquis son who hung out with Callius. I remember. Even if I dont want to remember, as he was an idiot who was on par with Callius. Not long ago, the light of Lutheon disappeared. Something like that But, according to a recent report, Lutheon is alive. He had a spear in his hand instead of a sword. No way!! God of Swords, Valtherus. God of Spears, Lactus. Lutheon has apostatized. Kwadangtangtang!! Alvatos chair, as he stood startled, fell with a dull noise. Lutheon was enough of a fool to make a pair with Callius, but he had been a genius whod fought for the highest level of swordsmanship. That he is an apostate! The God of Spears. He became a cultist of Lactus. He turned to a god who was no less than a beast and became a pagan! Sadness turned into anger in Alvatos heart and sublimated. So what about Callius? You mean its very likely that Callius is also an apostate? Yes. Besides, the West is a place where there are many traces of paganism. The last place where the apostate Luteon appeared is also in the West. Bishop Milliman of the radicals was saying: It can be believed that Callius made contact with the infidels and killed Arsando. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. Arsando had been on a mission to investigate the possibility of a relic that might be buried in Torrett. His death cannot be taken lightly. Where there were traces of paganism, the one who should not die died. So one couldnt help but doubt. It was a natural process. I, Milliman, believe that it is highly probable that Callius is an apostate! I propose to send Steel Justice[1] Inquisitor Ryburn to Torrett! Hmmmm Round table. Among the Bishops seated around the Acushium. There was no one who could refute Millimans comments. Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor Ryburn . Alvato shook his head. It goes without saying his devotion was truly sincere, but the Heretic Inquisitor was famous for his severity. Alvato considered the moment the Inquisitor would meet Callius. Whether Callius was an apostate or not, Alvato thought the outcome would be the same. At the same time. Torretts Lords castle. Great. After shaking his head and taking one more shot of the wine, Callius exhaled a violent sigh and enjoyed the alcohol sticking to his throat. What are you staring at? Im just drinking my Fathers blood. Just say youre drinking wine, accused Leone, who was sitting on the other side of Callius. Dozens of empty plates were piled up next to him, and a large oak barrel full of wine was also lying empty. Leone looked at Callius with an amazed vision. Is there no dessert? Your mouth is so sharp. Actually, the finances were tight. Still, as a benefactor, I cleaned out my pockets and served . Dessert Leone looked around and saw the servants desperately shaking their heads. There was nothing more to give Callius, and it meant that if he made more food, he would end up on the streets. Isnt there? I was deceived by Leomary. She said that if you turn me into a Carcass and return it to my family, youll be treated with grandeur My mothers name is Leonaire, Pilgrim. Oh, yes. Ive been drinking and my tongue is already twisted. Hmmm. Coughing, Callius got up from the table full of dishes. Where are you going? I dont have any appetite, so Im going to take a look around the nearby forest. Yeah? No appetite? So, what happened to all the stuff you have eaten so far? Leone had no idea what was going on inside Callius stomach. Did you find the mine? Id like to see it. Yeah? How could that be Its a top secret, so even the mercenaries outside dont know about it. Arsando Mirinae also discovered the cave that was the bandits den while he was exterminating them. Leone soon realized that it was not a simple cave but a mine where certain ores could be found, and if Leone could develop that mine, Torrett had a chance to grow into a wealthy city of the West. These are the settings I gave. I didnt know what happened after that. The company revised the rejected contents, received feedback, and re-corrected hundreds of times. I couldnt tell if the story was written by me or added by someone else. Its been ten years, what more can I say? The story I wrote was slightly revised and reflected, so there were many places where the really detailed parts were skipped. Ill have to check it out. How is the part that has been skipped over? Leone. Yes, Pilgrim Callius. Callius is enough. Yes! Callius-sama. I have received a revelation from God. Di-, divine revelation!! Leones eyes widened. It was a divine revelation to take care of Torrett. As a Son of God, I must see the condition of the mines located here. I knew it! Well? Ever since you appeared at the right time to save me, Ive always wondered if thats the case! Callius-sama was a messenger sent by the god Valtherus! A Saint of God! Um thats it. Its convenient to be misunderstood, but those shining eyes were a bit burdensome. Please guide me to the mine. There may be monsters there, so Ill take care of them. Ah! I see! At the words of Callius, who pretended to be benevolent, Leone believed like an idiot and led him to the mine. After a while. Seeing something in the mine, Callius expression darkened. Why is this here? In front of him, the Churchs lost herbs. A material of the Holy Water called the Tears of Valtherus, were blooming. Editors Notes: [1] ??? is being translated as Steel Justice. Chapter 5 Chapter 5 A panacea that cures any disease and heals any wound. The Holy Water of Valtherus. I dont understand Why is the main ingredient for making Holy Water, called the Tears of God, growing near the local mine? Callius could not understand at all. There was nothing notable until he entered the mine based on Leones guidance. On the surface, it was impossible to see it as anything but an ordinary copper mine. It wasnt iron ore, it wasnt gold, it was just copper, so there was nothing special about it. Still, hed never been here before, so while he was looking around the mine, he found that that there were flowers blooming which didnt match the image of the mine. Its ridiculous. The flowers were right in front of him, a perfect harmony between white and black. The Tears of Valtherus were originally an essential material for the cults Holy Water production, but they were completely burned down in a heathen attack decades ago. As such, the Church of Valtherus was unable to manufacture Holy Water anymore, and it became the starting point for the Churchs strength and reputation to plummet. The Church that could no longer heal the wounded was unable to draw the peoples devotion, and the Kingdom became increasingly impoverished as it could not win its wars due to the lack of Holy Water. Originally, the Valtherus Church and the Carpe Kingdom had great power on the continent. However, due to the lack of Holy Water, their strength gradually weakened, and now they have taken on a passive aspect. But here it is. An arc was drawn on the corner of Caliuss lips, as he touched his chin. A medicinal herb that is the main ingredient of Holy Water. Valtherus Tears were right in front of his eyes. And Callius knew how to make Holy Water. That is to say C It means that you can carry Holy Water with you. Of course, to make Holy Water properly, you need a manufacturing facility to mix it with the other key ingredients. But did Callius need that kind of perfect Holy Water right now? No. Just in case you dont know, its not completely necessary. In this world where potions are far more precious than gold, what if you could make as many healing potions as you like, even if the quality is a little low? Thats enough. Half the potency of the original Holy Water. That is enough. Even with the slightest medicinal effect it would be a medicine that heals any wounds as if they were washed away. Leone. Yes? Who owns the mine? Of course, it belongs to me, the owner of Torretts estate. Then youre saying these flowers are yours too? Yes, yes. Would you like to have one? Fuck. Leone. Youre a really good kid. Callius patted Leones head. Hey, whats with this. Hehe. Callius stroked Leones head and then carefully dug up the Tears of Valtherus that were blooming. But how are you going to use it? Its a secret. Ah, thats it. The Churchs secret Thats roughly it. If the Church finds out that the secret about this flower has been revealed Callius mimed slitting his neck with the back of his hand. Leone responded with a firm nod of his head as if he had made a desperate determination to never see that bloody look. Of course! Okay. God will watch over you. Callius tapped Leones shoulder, then grabbed one of the beautiful herbs and placed it on the back of his hand. Then soon C The stigmata flashed with a subtle light and made a soft hiss. The Tear of Valtherus was gone. Okay. The herb was sucked into the stigma. You cant put things in that are too big, but if its just some herbs, you can store them inside the stigmata, just like you would use your inventory. This wont damage the Tears of Valtherus. If there is a suitable place, it would not be bad to re-plant and culture them. Okay. Lets go. Torrett. I was a little hesitant at first, but Im glad I came here. Not only has the level of divine power risen, but I also got a Life-grade sword and the Tears of Valtherus, the main ingredient of Holy Water. It is a gain that cannot be valued in money. By the way, Callius-sama. What? Leone. Are you leaving? Youre asking the obvious. Im a Pilgrim. Pilgrims are known to wander. They are wanderers who never stay at one spot for long. The reason was also known. The end of the pilgrimage comes only when you find your sword. And when you turn the rosary hanging from the neck into a sheath, and put the sword in that sheath. Only then C But why are you asking that? Oh, I actually heard it back then. During the duel with Arsando. Hed called out the last name of Callius. Callius von Jervain. Leone repeated his name with admiration. Do you know Jervain? Thats right! Its Jervain, the Supreme Ruler of the North who are famous for their swordsmanship! Is there anyone my age who doesnt know of Jervain from the north? The Ruler of the North, Jervain. Carpes Shield, Jervain. Swordmaster Jervain. There are so many titles when you speak of Count Jervain. Jervain, who have been protecting the northern part of the Carpe Kingdom for centuries. Among those who participated in any important affairs within the Carpe Kingdom, there was no one who did not know this name. Are you leaving for the North? Why are you asking that? Uh, thats Leone had a puzzled expression on his face as if asking something obvious. This body has left the family and turned to God. I dont want to hear anything about the family. I dont want to go there until I die. If you go back to the Jervain family, the characteristics that come with this persona would be revealed, so things would become difficult. Oh, Im sorry. My presumptuous meddling thats right. Callius-sama is now the Son of God. Thinking about the divine revelation, Leone fell into his own delusion and kept his head down. Lets go. Ive seen everything there is to see. Yes. Except for the Tears of Valtherus, the mines here were mediocre. However, the amount of copper seems to be quite large, so if you exchange with a suitable upper level and export it, the estate will gradually become abundant. Callius, this mine has become Torretts hope. Copper is a mineral that has many uses here and there, so the area is bound to improve. Can I do well? Leones eyes looking up at him were full of anxiety. He was about as tall as Callius chest. His youthful face still had the look of a child. Youre too young. Rumours will spread in Torrett that the copper mines are profitable, and the vanished vassals will turn their faces to devour the profits. Then they will become more and more greedy, and might even end up trying to kill Leone. Ill write you an introduction letter. Callius had some connections with a merchant family suitable for entrusting the distribution of copper. It was a pretty famous merchant family within the Carpe Kingdom, so it wont be difficult to distribute Torretts copper. Helena de Bolivian. If it were her from the family of Viscount Bolivian C Shell take care of it so I wont have to worry about Torrett anymore. Dont worry. Youll do just fine. Stroking Leones head, Callius stepped forward. Shes going to kill me, right? Callius remembered two years ago. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. A relationship with her that could be called a bad relationship, if anything. Her accusations against him held up. A few days later C Crackle, crackle. Callius flicked the bag of gold coins Leone had given him and put it in his pocket. You didnt need to give me this. No. I apologize for only being able to do this much. Callius, I dont know where youre going, but be careful on the way to Oliorro. Why? I dont know whats going to happen in that town right now because theres a rebellion in Fortress Oliorro. Oliorro!? Yes, do you know? Oliorros Rebellion. In fact, it was one of the peasant uprisings stirred up by the pagans. But its too early. It should have been done at least three years later. Has the timeline accelerated? If so, it means you dont have time to relax like this. The shadow of the pagans is getting darker, so this side cant stand still either. Im going to the North. To the master of the Spirit Sword who is waiting there. A few days later. Inside the Torrett Mine. The spot where Valtherus Tears used to be was picked clean as if there had never been anything there. The man, who was looking at that place with sharp eyes, did not match well with the environment of the mine due to his neat and luxurious attire. Click. Ryburn. Callius has already left Torrett a few days ago. Is that so. We were one step late. Where would you say his destination is? Neither the Lord of Torrett nor the local residents know where he is going. The whole of Torrett is covering for him Is it okay to leave things like that? Not yet Tuk, tuk. Inquisitor Ryburn, who patted his index finger with his arms crossed, sighed as he shook his head. Tuk, tuk. If youre not sure, wouldnt it be better to not say anything? His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were sharp as frost. He is Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor Ryburn. A powerful paladin with a level 3 divine power and a Spirit Sword. During interrogations, he is a bloodthirsty Heretic Inquisitor before whom it was said that only the truth could be confessed. Sorry, Im sorry! Ill correct it! Ryburn walked past the man with an indifferent gaze and exited the mine. Inquisitor Ryburn raised his glasses and murmured. Bishop Milliman said that there might be a relic of the Order hidden here. The Church was aware of the possibility. However, Inquisitor Ryburn confirmed that there were no relics here. Is Bishop Milliman wrong? Or did someone take it? Inquisitor Ryburn put more weight on the latter possibility. Callius von Jervain. Trash Swordmaster. Talentless bastard. He, who possessed such a foolish swordsmanship, won the duel against Arsando Mirinae and quietly disappeared. Maybe, he took the power of the relic. I dont know what kind of relic it is or what power it has, but the Churchs relic is a mystery itself. Even if somethings not likely to happen. The relic could have been enough to make it happen. If Callius, who had that garbage talent, monopolized the miracle of the relic C Any sign of paganism? Im looking around the area, but still There were no signs of paganism. Arsando, who was investigating under orders from the Church, died. The probability is high that it is a relic. That incompetent Callius killed Arsando? Callius took on the power of the relic? He killed Arsando and disappeared. Even though he took the power of the relic, he did not report it to the Church. Why would you do that C Because there was something to hide. Then he C? Its heresy. Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor Ryburn. A faint smile spread across his lips. Heresy in the name of God. Clean up C Ryburns usually indifferent eyes were full of joy. Callius von Jervain is a heretic. And the residents of Torrett who covered for him, as well the Lord of this place, are all heretics too! They will be thoroughly interrogated. Chapter 6 Chapter 6 Tick, tick. The shadow of Callius moved with the beat of the flickering flame. The fire was a comforting warmth, illuminating the dark forest where Callius was camping for the night. As he stared blankly at the fire, many thoughts floated up to the surface of his mind, and then sank back again as the mind became calm. A newly acquired sword. Callius looked at the sword Arsando with his gray eyes. [Arsando] Rank C Life Sword. Inhabited Soul C Arsando Mirinae. Arsando Mirinaes Carcass. Puk. With his sword stuck between the tree roots, Callius tilted his head back to rest against the tree, and closed his eyes. It was me who was in charge of the overall story of [The Pilgrims Path]. However, I had been getting more and more tired from the heavy workload, so I was not able to properly create the characteristics of each character. At that time, I sat on the company rooftop bench and called her. Mister writer. You need my help again, right? The woman with a bright, sunny smile was an employee of the design department. With a smile on her face, she handed me a coffee and sat down next to me. What is it this time? Oh, that bastard, Callius von Jervain! I know. I got inspired while designing him. Hes so handsome, isnt he? She spoke of the characters she had created as if she was dealing with living people. Callius must be a bastard. Yet, he must also have the dignity of a noble. I wish he would be different when he is a Pilgrim and when he returns to his family. I shook my head and wrote down the details of Callius that Yoo Yeon-Hwa was talking about. She closed her eyes and tapped her lips with her index finger. There was a trembling around her eyes. Every time, it was a weird thing to see. But I knew. Every time she did this, a firm character setting was given to a sloppy-looking character. Callius von Jervain. He is the eldest son of a master swordsman, but a fool with no talent in swordsmanship. However, the appearance that inherited the blood of Jervain was unmatched in the Carpe Kingdom. But maybe it was a joke from God, since his fate was a series of misfortunes. Even though hes weak, hes constantly putting in effort without other peoples knowledge, but his character gets crooked because he doesnt get any results! A noble among nobles who has the arrogance and dignity characteristic of the aristocrats, but sacrifices himself to death at the end! I jotted down her advice in a notebook, along with whatever came to mind. Um, something is lacking Is there anyone who likes Callius by any chance? Well. I hadnt even thought about that part. I wish there were. But its even more heartbreaking because its something that can never come true. Ah! It hurts my heart. Unrequited love. I dont think its a very feminine idea, but theres nothing wrong with it. I nodded my head over and over again. But its so sad. Why? Callius dies. The matter of his sickly body always comes up. That was true. Callius dies anyway. No matter which route he takes, he is given a forced choice route where he has no option but to die. Because of his character. [Nobilitys Duty] Noblesse Oblige. Due to this characteristic, when living through the rise and fall of a nation, Callius always makes an absurd self-sacrifice. If you follow this storyline, there is no way for him to survive. A really handsome man. Although he is the eldest son of a count, he is a symbol of misfortune who is thrown away because he has no talent as a swordsman. Callius, whose character concept screams the word crazy. Players will encounter Callius at least once no matter which route they take, and he will have an unfriendly relationship with most players. Even if they become friendly, this guy will be useful only once. When he falls on the inevitable annihilation route, Callius sacrifices himself, saying it is the duty of a nobleman. It is only before he dies that he repents his mistakes and it is his first and last act to help the player C by dying. Callius von Jervain Occupation C Pilgrim. Spirit C Level 6 Divine Power C 1351/1351. Talent C [Bards Blessing C Best] Characteristics C [Verse of Grace] [Nobilitys Duty] [Scapegrace Count] [Four Verse Composition] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony] [Ability] Strength C 2 Agility C 1 Skill C 1 Health C 2 Faith C 3 The character is very messy. No properly useful characteristics. But thats the original character. A character that doesnt grow in importance in any route, doesnt do much as a villain, and is ambiguous as an ally. Thats Callius. At least one I wish there was at least one. A route where Callius lives on. She smiled bitterly. She felt sad for a game character that wasnt even alive. Oh, and its too bad that he doesnt have any talent. Please put in at least one. Um what would be good? Well. After thinking for a while, she said ah! and exclaimed. Is he surprisingly talented in music? I burst into laughter at the sight of her smirking as she said this. She twittered like a swallow and chirped like a sparrow, but she was a comfort that was invaluably precious to me. But the longer we spent together, the sicker she got. A gloomy sky. It was a dark days early evening and the sky was full of black clouds. I couldnt help but watch her funeral from a distance. You said it was suicide? Yeah, I dont even know how that can be because she was always smiling. Why did she die? I dont know, there was no will or anything. My comfort was gone. [Callius von Jervain] Tuk, tuk. The next day after her funeral. I went to work, sat down and opened Callius settings window. At least one I wish there was at least one. A route where Callius lives on. Her voice was still vivid in my ears. As if possessed by something, I began to edit Callius settings window. One route where Callius lives. And C Is he surprisingly talented in music? One talent.[1] Click. Callius woke up and grabbed Arsando. The bushes shook, but soon a roe deer appeared and disappeared. Did I fall sleep? Callius added more firewood to the slowly dying bonfire. Tadatak. The sputtering flame grew back in size by eating the firewood he threw. Callius, while staring at the flame, considered the status window with gloomy eyes. I didnt know that things at that time would continue like this. Calius von Jervain Occupation C Pilgrim. Spirit C Level 4 Divine Power C 2971/3251. Talent C [Bards Blessing C Best] Characteristics C [Verse of Grace] [Nobilitys Duty] [Scapegrace Count] [Four Verse Composition][2] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony] [Ability] Strength C 19+(10) Agility C 15+(10) finesse C 7 Health C 15+(10) Faith C 20 Three years have passed and my status has changed a lot. [Gluttony] Eat a lot and digest a lot. Digestibility C Top Absorptivity C High If I had known that this would happen, I would have added something like a genius. If I had talent, I wouldnt have had to go through all this suffering for this past three years. I wish there was a way to get a Spirit Sword at the start, then there would be a possible route of getting a Vision Sword, and I would have just been able to smash everything with momentum. Why is nothing easy in life, before or now? [Verse of Grace] Relieve the pain of the target turned into Carcass and receive a favour. The first trait acquired by this is the trait of Gluttony. Callius is a character with a weak constitution, so Gluttony is not a bad characteristic for him. Whatever you eat, it absorbs and digests nutrients at its best. On the surface, it seems like it is just rice or food being digested, but depending on how you use it, it can mean more than that. Besides, the time period here mimics the Middle Ages. There are a lot of cases where people die from eating something wrong. The Gluttony trait was indispensable as it reduced the number of such cases and provided the best digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food eaten. Because it digests or decomposes even up to intermediate poison on its own. Callius looked at what was marked as a talent. The only talent I have is Callius took a leaf of grass and brought it to his lips. Open your mouth and let the wind blow. ~? An unbelievably soft tone resounded through the forest. If you listened quietly, your ears were purified, your thoughts disappeared, and a sense of supreme satisfaction bloomed in your heart. Even though it was dawn, the beasts raised their heads and began to gather to hear Calliuss grass flute. Its absurd. Tadadat. When he stopped playing, the animals ran away as if he had never been. Is he surprisingly talented in music? Had I known it would be like this, I would have put some other talents in it. No, this is good too. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. Thump. Walking through the meadow, Callius played the grass flute. A fantastic tone reverberated through the forest. I found traces. The man shouted with joy when he found traces of the bonfire. Okay. Then where is his destination? But thats What? Inquisitor Delruin had a face that he didnt quite understand. Come on, tell me. As he was urged, Delruin began to confide as if he had no choice. There are unusually many footprints of animals in this forest. Thats why It is difficult to discern the direction. Is this what you mean? Unfortunately yes. Its so amazing that my nose feels stuffy. There are so many footprints of beasts that it is impossible to pinpoint their direction. How many beasts are roaming around, making it look like nobody can be tracked through this mess? Did they pass by in groups in the woods? Its not like it was a herd of water buffaloes . Even as Delruin was speaking, it was difficult for him to understand this situation. Are you saying that Callius can even do magic? Magic potent enough to dazzle the beasts and make them erase his footprints? Or was it a spell? You may not believe it, but A sigh came out. Anyone who hears these reports will scold back. Shouldnt you yourself believe it if you say something that doesnt make sense? However, Inquisitor Ryburns expression was quite different from what he expected. Maybe its the power of the relic. Ah! Relic! All of these situations are possible in the face of a miracle imbued with the power of God. Why didnt I think of that? Delruin greatly admired Inquisitor Ryburns insight. It looks like its going to be longer than I thought. Yeah, I guess there are a lot of variables. Pilgrim Callius. No, the pursuit of the apostate Callius, who stole the relic, seemed it would take longer than expected. Viscount Bolivian. In the office there, was a woman who twirled her ink-stained pen gracefully. A woman with red hair and green pupils, but with slightly ferocious eyes. The second daughter of the Bolivian family. It was Helena de Bolivian. Miss. Whats the matter? Im in the middle of reviewing the documents in a good mood, but youre breaking the flow. Helena thought she should deduct Butler Alfredos salary. A letter has been sent to the lady. Courtesy of Count Jervain What? Tak! Helena, who snatched the letter from the butler, immediately frowned. What kind of face does this bastard have! The source of the letter was the guy who couldnt be ignored. A con artist who dared to deceive the daughter of a merchant family and extort gold coins! You bastard, Callius Since you stole my gold coins last time, you should just hide and live like a mouse! Pppak! Helena, who broke the pen stand in anger, immediately opened the envelope. Just you dare ask for money again. Ill go to the North this time! Ill grab all my money back from the Jervain family!! Considering the hardship, time, and cost of going to the north, its a no-brainer. Miss. Shut up, Alfredo! I know! The green pupils quickly went over the letter from top to bottom. However, a frown gradually formed and only doubt remained on her face. Torrett? Copper mines? Youre asking me to distribute copper from Torretts mines out of the blue. Of course, mining development and distribution is not difficult. Torrett is just a small town near the border. There will be no proper manpower there, so you can send manpower from here. All the profits from that will come back to Bolivian as gold coins. Youll have to go to Torrett to get the full picture, but for Helena, its nothing to be sad about. But somethings strange it smells of something other than money. As she squinted her eyes suspiciously, Alfredo raised his arm and sniffed. I came here today after washing my face. Maybe the Lady What nonsense! Alfredo! I washed today! Thats right. Im sorry. Helena, who was glaring at Alfredo with an annoyed face, suddenly widened her eyes as if she had remembered something. Wait, Torrett? Torrett, Torrett. Tock tock. Helena, who was holding a broken pen and touching her lips, rummaged through a mountain of papers, and pulled out a report. Yes, Torrett. Alfredo. Did I mention that the Inquisitor was heading to a village near the western border a while ago? Yes, I heard that. To the merchants, information is money. In addition, information about the Inquisitor is inevitably sensitive. The rise and fall of people become clear depending on where his footsteps reach. There are only a few villages near the border. There was a rumour that Arsando, who went to Torrett, was dead, if thats true The puzzle is put together. The narrowed brows straightened, and a faint smile spread on her red lips. Why did the Steel Justice Inquisitor go to Torrett, was it because of you? Callius von Jervain. Aside from how he killed Arsando, how did he even attract a Heretic Inquisitor? If its Callius, it could be. Not long ago, Lutheon, who was close to him during his monk days, apostatized. Is it because of that? Its not clear, but Callius must be being pursued anyway. The distance from Torrett to the Bolivian family is about ten days. If you estimate the time when the letter arrived, the picture is drawn slowly. Have you been caught by now? Or maybe hes already been arrested and questioned? No, I mean tortured. Ahaha! Helena smiled as she tilted her chair back. Doesnt a God still exist? I can finally see the bad guy who cheated me, Helena de Bolivian, get punished. Oh, theres Lord Valtherus. Helena smiled with great satisfaction and straightened her back. But, you wont die, right? You must return the five hundred gold coins that you scammed from me, Callius. He is the eldest son of the Jervain family. No matter how much he is abandoned, his bloodline will not go anywhere. He will not be killed. Right? So you cant die. Ill have to pay back my disgrace and get back my gold coins tenfold from him! Bang. Helena, who resumed stamping her paperwork, hummed to herself. Editors Notes: [1] It seems like when the original character setting is being discussed with the designer, Gluttony and Bards Talent shouldnt be present yet, but thats how the author wrote. [2] ???? is now Four Verse Composition. Chapter 7 Chapter 7 Woong, woong, woong. Its not going well. Subtle divine power overflowed from Callius body. His spirit was now 4th grade. Both the amount and purity of divine power had changed remarkably compared to before.[1] In this world, spirit is the measure of ones prowess. And the uses of divine power are limitless. What if you focus your spiritual energy on your eyes? The range of sight increases. You can see quite far. What if you put your spiritual energy into your ears? Auditory acuity increases. If so, what would happen if you let the spiritual energy flow evenly throughout your body? The answer is C Temporarily increases the physical ability. Callius von Jervain Occupation C Pilgrim. Spirit C Level 4 Divine Power C 2971/3251. Talent C [Bards Blessing C Best] Characteristics C [Verse of Grace] [Nobilitys Duty] [Scapegrace Count] [Four Verse Composition] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony] [Ability] Strength C 19+(10)+10 Agility C 15+(10)+10 Skill C 7 Health C 15+(10)+10 Faith C 20 As one could see, the physical ability increased by +10 due to the purity of the divine power that was originally level 4, but when the whole body was covered with divine power like this, an additional +10 was added. Body strength, agility, and even health. They were of a level that could not be ignored since as much as 10 more was added. Looking at the diminishing divine power But you couldnt keep it for long. Divine Power C 2442/3251. That was because the divine power was rapidly decreasing. At this speed, most of the divine power would be consumed in about 15 minutes in battle. It would be difficult to use it in practice. So Callius was training. As he walked, he was emitting divine power with his whole body. He was circulating the spiritual energy throughout the body and gathering it in one place. Originally, divine power resulted from ones belief in God. Borrowing from God in return for devotion. So it was the power of God. Therefore, divine power, despite seemingly being ones own power, was not truly so. Its in my body, but it feels like its not mine. To put it more simply: It feels coiled around my skin but not attached to it. Therefore, it was not difficult to draw the energy into the body and circulate it. This was similar to cardiopulmonary exercise in which you breathe in air and then exhale again. The divine power was exhaled again when inhaled. The expelled divine power was weakened and could not be re-used. It took some time to recover. So C Callius was now training to contain that divine power within himself. To prevent the divine power that had entered the body from escaping again, he was training to catch it. It was a kind of storage. Wouldnt it be more efficient to have the divine power in ones own body rather than drawing it from the atmosphere? Of course, it wasnt an unfounded idea either. The characteristic should have become available. It had been over three years since Callius started doing this. Gradually, little by little, a speck of spiritual power was established in his lower abdomen. Just a little bit more. With a little more, the divine power would be fully established and a talent would be unlocked. For the Pilgrims of this age, divine power was simply a borrowed power. There were few Pilgrims who wanted to do something like Callius. If there are, itd be the Paladins. Paladins were appointed by the Church only after finding their own swords. This was a training method that was possible only with their level of experience and enlightenment. Hence, disciples were sparse, and even if there were, not everything about oneself could be taught. Isnt that one of the principal characteristics of those bound by religion? It has meaning only when you realize it for yourself. Therefore, there were very few people who practiced this kind of cultivation like Callius. Besides, the training he did C Unique-grade technique. [Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season C ???? ()][2] Class C Unique Six buds blooming in late season. It was a technique that maximized efficiency by creating buds in the body with divine power. When they reach maturity, the six buds bloom at once, and petal-shaped sword energy flows from the tip of the sword of the master of this technique. Start with six buds, that one by one bloom into six peak flowers, and then blossom into twelve flower offerings C it was a divine technique. Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season. A technique created by Saint Stella, who was originally a genius and highest level Paladin who disappeared hundreds of years ago. Her divine technique was lost until three years ago. When I took over Callius. As soon as I took over my new life here, the first thing I found was Stellas Six Peak Flowers technique. The darkness hides the deepest under the lamp, and Stellas Six Peak Flowers Technique was hidden under the flowerbeds of the Valtherus Church. Of course, such a setting was also created by myself, so it was only after I found the Six Peak Flowers Technique that I could be sure that this was the real-world version of the game. I mean, it didnt go well. Even if it gathered, it was difficult to transform the divine power into a bud. Perhaps it was a technique that was still above my level, and it was not easy. All the ideas I had created and hidden initially came out of my brain, so I was furious because I couldnt learn it myself. Three years had already passed by. He couldnt reach even the initial level of the Six Peak Flowers Technique. But Callius did not give up hope. It used to be because he was under-levelled, but now it was a little different. Physical abilities that had been strengthened through quests. The constitution changed with the characteristics of a glutton. And the quality of spiritual power had risen to a higher level. It was bringing a glimmer of hope to Callius, who possessed wretchedly abject qualifications. Not long to go. One or two threads of divine power gathered together in the Elixir Field and wrapped around it.[3] The divine power, which had lumped together inside the Elixir Field, had now grown to the size of a pea. Beads of sweat dripped down Callius forehead. Sweat trickled down his cheeks and dripped onto the ground from the tip of his chin. And right then C Ah. Callius footsteps stopped. The silver light that had spread from his body faded and he took a deep breath. Thats it for today. [Divine Power C 353/3251] It was because hed consumed most of his divine power. There was still a long way to go, and it was a dangerous forest path where you couldnt know what would happen next. I used up most of my energy to immersed in training, but not anymore. As the times are what they are, various variables exist here. For example. A bandit or a monster. Or a Pilgrim. Since there are such dangers, it is impossible to concentrate on training by consuming all my divine power. Besides. I heard that Oliorro was captured by the rebels. The story is flowing is faster than expected. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. At this rate, the aftereffects of Lutheons apostasy and the pressure from the pagans will be even more severe. Now I can no longer enjoy my leisure. I have to move quickly. Ill have to go to Tristar for now. Tristar is known as the largest nightlife city in the Carpe Kingdom. From there, I will head to the famous Trish Auction House to collect the other ingredients for Holy Water. The Pilgrims Path will become more and more war-torn C and the appearance of the pagans will become more and more frequent. As a result, internal strife will happen within the Church and the Kingdom will become a mess. The northern part is busy with the invasion of monsters, and the Empire will take advantage of that time to eat Carpe. Life is at risk wherever you go. There is no safe place, inside or outside. Shouldnt there be a way to heal my body by making Holy Water? Itll be a while before I can grab the Thunderbolt Sword from that damned bastard. Callius murmured to himself and took another step. The destination was Tristar. Carpes biggest nightlife city. Inside the Valtherus Church. The moderate leader, Bishop Alvato, privately summoned a Pilgrim. The Pilgrim Esther Sol Ciliad greets Bishop Alvato. Oh, Esther. Come here. The Pilgrim, Esther Sol Ciliad. She was a Pilgrim with bright hair that shone like the sun. Esthers blue eyes sparkled like crystal, and at first glance it looked like she was always crying. Because of this, her nickname used to be Weeping Esther. The nickname was because of her twinkling eyes, but she hated that nickname. So most of those who called her Weeping Esther were struck by her fists and had their teeth or noses broken. Bishop Alvato, who recalled those old memories for a moment, smiled fondly. Yes, Ive called you because Ive got a job for you to do. What is it? Esther answered with an expressionless face, as if she was not human. Alvato smiled bitterly at her standing there like a statue. You have to go to Tristar. Tristar As you know, apostasy is on the rise, and the situation in the Kingdom is not good. Meanwhile C There is a Pilgrim who is suspected of possessing a holy relic. You know him well. Alvato handed her a document. The name written there was C Callius von Jervain Her eyes, which had been blank consistent with her expressionless face, narrowed in an instant. Bishop Milliman, of the extremist faction, has sent an Inquisitor. But that Inquisitor is Steel Justice Inquisitor Ryburn. He is Bishop Millimans man. If C If Callius really had a holy relic, and it fell into Ryburns hands C You must not allow Bishop Milliman to get the relic. Bishop Milliman, the leader of the extremists. He seemed cautious for his position, but he was quite reckless when it came to the pagans. It may have been because of the seeds of revenge that had been sown in his past, but Bishop Millimans purpose in the present situation was putting both the Kingdom and the Church in danger. Its not good for us to touch the Empire now. Its still time to crouch low and accumulate our strength. So, he called Esther. Esther Sol Ciliad, the genius swordsman, who was showing the greatest growth in the current Church. Her genius and sincerity even caused mentions of her as the next Saint. She was qualified enough for this task. All right. Ive prepared everything. All you have to do is start your journey. If its Tristar, there wont be any difficulties. And you never know, this time, the item you are looking for might appear at the Trish Auction House. Bishop Alvato shook his head, clasped his hands and stretched his back. Bishop Alvato. Yes, do you have any questions? Yes. What if Pilgrim Callius doesnt have a relic? What if he doesnt have a relic? Hmmm. If there is no direct or indirect evidence of collusion with the pagans, it would mean that there is no sin. If he has no sacred objects and has no affiliation with pagans, then he is without sin. So you can just come back It would be fine to have a sword duel. Um? Uh I guess thatd be fine. Okay. Ill go right away. Click. Esthers footsteps as she closed the door seemed light for some reason. Sword duel. Did you have such a bad relationship with Callius? I never knew. Esther, who never showed her emotions, came out of nowhere with such a proposal. Bishop Alvato smiled bitterly. If there were any sacred objects, he would die as a sinner, and even if there were no sacred objects, he would die at the hands of Esther. Death was the only option. Editors Notes: [1] ?? is spirit, or spiritual power. ??? is divine power. [2] ???? is being translated as Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season, shortened to Six Peak Flowers Technique. [3] ?? (pronounced: danjeon) is being translated as Elixir Field. This is the same as dantian in Chinese medicine. Chapter 8 Chapter 8 Thank you. Thank you so much Hwiiiing. Grains of light scattered in the wind and gradually disappeared. In front of Callius, the childs Carcass, which had come from a corpse torn apart by the claws of a monster from the nearby forest, disappeared. [Artemos Carcass C Complete] [Skill + 1] Callius von Jervain Occupation C Pilgrim. Spirit C Level 4 Divine Power C 2371/3251. Talent C [Bards Blessing C Best] Characteristics C [Verse of Grace] [Nobilitys Duty] [Scapegrace Count] [Four Verse Composition] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony] [Ability] Strength C 22+(10) Agility C 15+(10) Skill C 7 -> 8 Health C 15+(10) Faith C 21 A forest near the metropolis Tristar. He had rushed to complete the quests received by turning the many corpses he saw on the way into Carcasses. Fortunately, there were no difficult requests, so he managed to complete the quests as if it was a pastime, and his abilities also went up a lot. Strength, faith, and even skill, which was rarely affected, rose. Even though it only increased by 1, it seemed that the technical proficiency had risen. Of course, you would know more precisely only once you went back to practice. Still, Callius shook his head with satisfaction and asked Artemos parents. There are a lot of monsters around here. Why are you living in such a dangerous place? You dont know the situation, Pilgrim. There are many peasants living like this. Ive lived here as a herbalist since the old days so I cant leave here If we left, what work would we do to put food on the table? But you might die. If you move to the city, you at least wont die from monster attacks. But Artemos father shook his head, saying that wasnt the case at all. Compared to the North, there were not many, but there were monsters here as well. There were many examples of ordinary beasts eating humans and turning into monsters, so any other place would not be much different. No. Even if we became residents of Tristar, the heavy taxes would make it impossible for herbalists like us to survive After all, being a resident of Tristar would cost you money, and the taxes collected would also be huge. They would rather live comfortably outside the city, in the forest. They were attacked by nobles inside the city, and attacked by monsters outside, so it was the same for them either way. Then C Oh, yes. I will never forget this grace. It was time to part. But Callius didnt budge, as if he was waiting for something. Ah! Pilgrim! Are you going to Tristar? Yes, yes. Then tell Cedric of Trish that youve come to collect the debt of the herbalist Armo! Cedric of Trish. Here it comes. Pardon? Nothing. Please elaborate. Yes! He owed me a debt the other day. At that time, he said that he would pay me back! I am a poor herbalist, so I have nothing to offer to the Pilgrim, so I can only do something like this You dont have to. Callius replied sternly, but it was just a pretence. There was a gleam in Callius eyes. Cedric of Trish. This was the reason why he had to cross the damn forest road to find that young corpse and complete the quest. Pilgrim! If his benefactor left without any recompense like this, Artemo will never able to rest in peace! Please accept my sincerity! I cant help it if you say that. Ill go see Cedric of Trish. Thank you, thank you! After saying his goodbyes to the herbalist and leaving the forest, Callius saw a plain and a city beyond. It was Tristar, the city ??of nightlife. Cedric of Trish. Good. Cedric of Trish. A giant figure in a behind-the-scenes organization called Krasion that existed not only in Carpe, but even extended to other countries. If its Cedric, he might be able to help purchase the supplementary materials for the Holy Water. Cedric was aggressive and difficult to make friends with. However, once you became friendly, you could easily maintain a good relationship for a long time. Being friends with him brought many advantages. I can get a lot of information. He dealt with various things in the underground world as well as very private information, so you might get the news you need. For Callius survival and purpose C It was good to get acquainted with him. The line is too long. As soon as he finished thinking, what he saw was a long procession towards Tristar. Various people were lined up waiting to enter. From simple travellers to high-ranking mercenary leaders. Are there any nobles? There might have even been unknown aristocrats mixed in. Since it was an era with little entertainment, Tristar was always crowded with people. Callius joined the tail end of the incredibly long procession. The sun was hanging slightly tilted in the sky. Itd been about two hours. Just at the moment the people in the line ahead disappeared and it was Callius turn. Pak. What? Someone tapped Callius on the shoulder. What is it, you? Oh, my shoulders are too broad. Im sorry. But, brother, are you blind? Two people somehow bumped into each others shoulders and started arguing. The other partys hair was short and his body was muscular. The mans voice gave was rough impression, and he was tattooed all over. He looked like a local bully. Callius stared at him for a bit because he felt a little absurd, when suddenly he was booed. What is it? If you dont want to go in, get out of the way. Hey, if youre going to fight, fight somewhere else. Fighting in Tristar wont get you anything. The guard in charge of the gate into Tristar also looked at him with an annoyed expression. The bully raised his fist at Callius, who had been standing still all this time. Ah! Youre annoying me! It was then. This guy! Chaeeng! Suddenly, Knights of some noble family rushed in and pointed their swords at the bully as well as Callius. Whats this? The arguing bastard was still chattering, as an aristocratic young man walked proudly among the Knights. Heh heh, does Tristar let in a lot of problematic people like this? Who are you? The guard asked. Even at a glance, the young mans clothes and attitude were befitting a noble, so the other guards rolled their eyes and looked on. I am Baldwin de Lutens, the eldest son of Viscount Lutens. Oh, its Sir Baldwin. My apologies, I didnt know. The young man shook his head as if it was natural and began to open his mouth. I came a long way here to Tristar on my fathers orders to broaden my horizons, but I didnt expect to see something like this as soon as I arrived. Should I take care of these issues? Im sorry. Hey, what are you all doing, quickly take them away! Callius, who had swords pointed at him by the Knights, was now pulled away by the guards. It was an unusual situation. It was only now that Callius realized, that the bastard and the nobleman in front of him were one group. In Tristar, even a nobleman has to stand in line to enter. But that guy forced the guards into debt as if he had solved a problem for them. You must know that my father has achieved many victories recently. It must not be long before he ascends to the rank of count. Yes, yes, of course. But, are you going to keep me standing here? The sun is quite hot. Is that possible! Please come inside. His thoughts were right. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. After waiting for two hours in line, Callius was brought away from the gate, and the nobleman who had just arrived proudly entered Tristar. A vein jumped on Callius forehead. Its ridiculous. Why does the saying got my nose cut with my eyes open come to mind? Its crazy.[1] Its so outrageous that Im not even mad. Im a Pilgrim. Do you think itll be okay if you treat a Son of Valtherus this way? Valtherus? Hed hoped that would work, but no luck. Why, you want to pull out that sword? Like I said before, Lord Pilgrim. I dont know about other places, but drawing a sword wont solve anything here in Tristar. Keuk, if you pull out that sword, youre dead. Even if you survive, you wont ever be able to enter Tristar, so if you still want to pull it out, try it. Even if the owner of this city is Gerald of the Valtherus Church, Tristars laws are strict. That was sad, but true. The Valtherus Church had long since lost all positive public opinion. Even Gerald, the owner of Tristar, who had become a Master in the Order, did not show any consideration to the Pilgrims. Rather, he hated the Pilgrims. Tristar was such a place. It was the city ??of nightlife. However, the law was applied far more strictly than other places. Once somebody caused a problem, they would either be imprisoned or, in severe cases, prohibited from entering the city at all. Once banned from entry, one would never be able to enter again. So, if possible, no one would want to cause any problems here. Because the being who could be said to be the owner of Tristar was one of the five masters, a person who exerted great influence in both the Kingdom and the Church. Because he was Gerald Gestav. Gerald the Judge. No matter how high-ranking a noble, or how powerful a Paladin of the Church. Gerald, a Paladin who had risen to the ranks of the five masters, did not tolerate anybody making a fuss in his beloved city. Besides, he was recognized by the Kingdom and even received the title of honorary marquis, so what could anybody say? Hey, let go of me! I can walk by myself! The bully was let go by the guards, and Callius walked with him away from the gate. Brother, think of it as just stepping on shit. If you dont have the strength, you should think with your head. If neither of them works, you should just keep your mouth shut. Jiggle, jiggle. The bully tossed a money bag up and down, and said words that Callius didnt know whether were teasing or comforting him. If both dont work, like me, listen well and get money. Hahaha! How much? What, what? Oh, that noble had a lot of money, he gave me five gold coins for just this kind of work. Here, take this. The man smiled widely at Callius, who was still looking at his money bag, and tossed a silver coin from his bosom. Callius lips twisted as he received the silver coin. I earned it thanks to you, so this is my gratitude. See you again next time! The moment the bully turned around and was about to disappear. Callius grabbed him by the shoulder. Dont you think thats not enough money? What? I felt sorry for this bastard, so I gave him a piece of silver and it wasnt enough? Lets see, lets see, so I look that soft?! I was generous and threw him a silver coin, but the other party didnt even have the common sense to be grateful. The bully quickly clenched his fists. But he was one step late. Callius fists were faster. Ahh! What, what?! You hit me now?! In front of the screaming bastard, Callius raised his fist again with cold eyes. If you made gold coins because of me, wouldnt it make sense to give out gold coins instead of silver coins? Hearing what Callius said as if it were the most natural thing to say, the bully pulled out a dagger from his bosom. Damn this bastard, I almost got persuaded for a moment. Do you really want to die?! No, I want your money. You crazy guy!! Whiiig! Pak! Ahh! Fuck!! He swung the dagger, but Callius grabbed his wrist and twisted it. The dagger missed and fell to the floor helplessly, and the man was struck in the face by Callius palm, causing his nose to bleed. Just like a child being dealt with by an adult, the fight between the two was one-sided. Show me your good intentions, or dont. I think either way is fine. Sreung! Callius pulled out Arsando. Seeing the energy flowing out of the sword, the mans throat bobbed up and down. The bully was quick to judge the situation. I, Ill give it to you! The effect was great. Callius got five gold coins. He now had fifteen gold coins and one silver coin in his hand. Well, then Ill just Who told you to go? I dont have any more money! Let me go! Callius shook his head. I dont have any money, and, and my head is useless, Pilgrim! Even if you turn it into a Carcass, Im sure its going to be a worthless sword!? Thats not certain. Spare me! Ill do anything! Oh, finally a good word came out. I suffered the worst of insults today. Lutens, who dared to fuck me. Until I find him C You wont have your freedom. The bully, Bruns, thought. Looking at his eyes and actions, this guy was a real stone-head.[2] And Bruns had somehow got himself firmly caught by this crazy idiot. He was really unfortunate. Editors Notes: [1] ? ?? ? ???? -> Eyes were open and nose was cut -> proverb, like being a sitting duck. [2] ??? -> Stone-headed -> i.e. one who cannot understand others, acts crazy, etc. A crazy idiot. Chapter 9 Chapter 9 A few hours later. Ooh. Callius, who had barely entered Tristar after some circumstances, walked the streets with a little admiration. The small flowerbeds beside the streets were also beautiful, and the buildings were all built with different aesthetics. All the residents had bright faces, and there was even a beautiful fountain constantly gushing out water in Tristars central square. Its different, seeing it in person. Have you been here before, Master? No. He gestured with his chin at the bastard, Bruns. Did you say you know where Lutens is? Of course. Ive seen all kinds of people, but that Lord was crazy because he wanted to go and gamble immediately! If its gambling. Then there is only one place where he could be. That is, Cedrics gambling house located in Tristars downtown area. Ill take care of him and see Cedric if I get a chance. Following Brunss directions, Callius walked down the streets. After walking for a while, the surrounding buildings started to look shabby. Callius eyes narrowed. This is it! This is a secret gambling place only known to those in the know! Is that so. At Bruns words, Callius strode in first. Upon opening the half-broken door, a shabby table and a few chairs could be seen scattered inside. It was then C Clink! The sound of chains rushed down from the ceiling, and something hit Callius. Kuuung! It was a giant iron net. An iron net perfect for imprisoning people. The place was a trap. Hahahaha! You were following me like a mutt without any doubts! Older brother! Arent you really stupid!? Bruns was sporting a smirk as he mocked Callius. Then, new thugs of the same type as Bruns revealed themselves all around. Hey Bruns! Youve caught a big fish again this time! Bruns the Angler! Since you caught even another Pilgrim this time! Good job! Haha, catching a Pilgrim. How much money is this guy worth? As long as you sell it to the Lord, he wont have to worry about swords ever again. Were just sitting on a cushion of money! Perhaps they were thinking of selling Callius. There arent many Pilgrims, but there are those who target them due to the nature of their wandering pilgrimage. It is easy to find cases where the Lords preparing for a territorial battle imprison Pilgrims to save on armaments and exploit them into making swords. How much can we get this time? I think we might even get more than a thousand gold coins? What thousand gold coins? We might get more than three thousand right now. You idiot! Where do you find a lord who can afford to pay such a high price? There are thousands upon thousands of those who want to sell their country to the Empire because they dont have money. Running away is going to be annoying. Hey, who has the paralytic poison? Here! As the poisoned dagger was handed over, one of the two archers threw it towards Callius. However C Taaaeng! What, did he stop that? Callius easily deflected the dagger using Arsando. What are you surprised about? Throw it again! Even if hes a Pilgrim, if you throw a bunch at the same time, he cant stop them all. It wasnt a bad idea, but Callius didnt wait for them to implement it. Whiiik! His sword flashed in a long invisible arc, evoking a sense of ferocity. Kkiiig, kuguuung! You crazy!! The iron net was sliced apart. Since the net holding him was cut off, it was obvious what would happen next. Ahhh! Help me! Bruns urinated in his pants as he heard the screams of his brothers from all directions. The Pilgrims sword was relentless and neatly reaped the lives of the surrounding thugs. As if one sword had split into dozens. It was a swift and sophisticated sword. Bruns didnt even understand how that kind of sword could be wielded. During the course of his dirty deeds so far, hed seen the swords of Knights a few times. Their swordsmanship was fine and beautiful, but the sword wielded by the Pilgrim in front of him now, was not. It was just a killing sword. A monotonous but sure way to kill people, without any pretentiousness and form. It was a sword adorned with the flesh of its enemies. There was no hypocrisy in it. Bruns felt that it was an extremely practical swordsmanship. After a while. Callius was seen walking away from that shabby thiefs house with a blood-stained sword, and Bruns was following him. He whimpered and carried his brothers who had turned into Carcasses in his arms. Youre slow. He was struggling to walk with as many as a dozen Carcasses wrapped in a bag. A total of twelve swords. The larger the number, the greater the weight. Bruns felt so heavy that he thought he was going to die, but he tried to smile with a blue face. I, Ill speed up. Master! Bruns and Callius took the Carcasses and headed to the nearby weapon shop. Its a good sword. Are you going to sell this? Yes. Hmm all right. One gold coin each. Hey! Just one gold coin for my brothers?! Make it at least three! Brothers, what are you talking about? Bruns, did something happen to your head? Oh, just give me that! Huhu. Why are you crying? What the hell. Leaving Bruns haggling with a red face, Callius looked around. Is Trish Market over there? As the sun went down, it started getting dark. The lights went out in the villagers area, but the other side was different. Rather, colourful lights started twinkling as if waiting for the night, and the places started crowd with well-attired nobles. And in the basement of that glamorous area, there will be a Trish Black Market that sells anything. Master, here you are! Im really amazing at bargaining, hehe. Check it out! You wont get this amount anywhere else! Well. Jiggle jiggle. The money bag was full. Twenty-four gold coins. It looked like the swords were sold for two gold coins each. Not bad. Hehe. The quality was not very good as the Carcasses were made of those small-time assholes. Since they could be exchanged for 24 gold coins, of course, it was a small business. Thanks to that, the money left in Callius hand was now 39 gold coins and 1 silver coin. This guy . Looking at Bruns the bastard, Callius pondered on what to do. The world he was reborn in was a cold and harsh place. Clumsy generosity and mercy would only give others a chance to bite your neck. There was nothing wrong with leaving no weeds behind. Bruns. But he was still useful. Callius would stay only a few days in Tristar, and Bruns eyes were imprinted with fear and terror that would not soon fade. It wont be too late to deal with it after the chores at Tristar are over. Guide me. To the gambling house where Lutens is. All right!! The name of the casino was Casino de Cedric. As the name indicated, it was a casino run by Cedric. Master, Ive finished all the entry procedures. At your convenience I walked in straight away. From then on, Bruns guidance was not needed. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. There were a lot of tables, and dealers and gamblers were seated. There were those who had bloodshot eyes and focused only on earning money, and there were those who prayed earnestly and cried out to God. And there were also a few nobles who gambled with the Knights around them from time to time. It shouldnt have been difficult to find the kid of the Lutens family who fucked me in the midst of that chaos. Well? Obviously, it should have been easy. Baldwin de Lutens. But the man was nowhere to be seen. Anywhere in the casino. Why is he not here? He shouldve been here. When Callius stopped walking and turned around, Bruns opens his eyes wide in surprise. Then, as if embarrassed, he waved his hand back and forth to make excuses. It wasnt me! Ive been with Master all along! Maybe youve been talking to him in secret. Sreung, hik! When Callius pulled out his sword halfway, it made a squeaky sound. Bruns face turned white, and cold sweat formed on his forehead. Ill definitely find him! I can do it! Saying that, Bruns hurriedly ran out somewhere. Ten minutes later. I slowly removed my ass from the chair since Bruns had reappeared. Master. Youre here. Did you find him? Yes, I found him. But Bruns expression was strange. Looked for him, and found him, but seems like he saw something unexpected. What. Did he die or something? Thats right. What? I heard the story. Baldwin de Lutens. It was said that he was quite gifted at gambling. However, in Tristars casino, he immediately squandered all his fortune and died while struggling in anger. That was exactly an hour ago. What an idiot. I could go see the body as Bruns was acquainted with one of the casino staff. To be honest, it was hard to believe until I saw it with my own eyes. After a while. Seeing Baldwins body rolled up in a sack, Callius admitted the truth of his death. Baldwins body had become cold. Near the corpse was a glimmer of silver. It was the light of the Corpse Grace. Ill take Baldwins body. Oh? Well, its a little difficult because hes a nobleman The casino employee gently rubbed his fingers. He was plainly just asking for money. When Callius threw a single gold coin, he snatched it with a happy face and disappeared. Callius immediately turned the cadaver into a Carcass. Then, with a soft light, the memory of the man permeated into his mind. Wine glasses were stacked in front of him, and ashtrays were scattered nearby. Stacks of chips piled up all around. The dealers bad expression and the similar faces of the casino guards nearby was understandable. At first, he did quite well. Baldwin was playing dice. Gambling based purely on luck. It was incredible to have won that much money just from playing dice for fun. But he didnt seem to be gambling for fun. The attitude that permeated his mind was different. He was serious, and he was gambling with a desperate determination. For the sake of the family. The eldest son of the Lutens family. But the only talent he had, was gambling. So, he came to Tristar to make money, and to help the family. I thought he was just an idiot, but it didnt seem like he was. But that was only for a while. At some point, he lost all his accumulated chips in an instant. Baldwin was furious, as if he had encountered something impossible, and as he quarrelled and drew his sword, he was stabbed to death. His hope To get his familys money back. Thats one annoying Corpse Grace. Oh? Master, what are you talking about? I ignored Bruns question and headed straight back to the casino. Baldwin de Lutens. I didnt remember it at first. But seeing his death, I was convinced. Baldwins name, I remembered. Because C Because he had the settings that I had made. Chapter 10 Chapter 10 I walked in right away. The destination was where Baldwin spent all his fortune. There was a man there who was still gambling. There were also Knights who carried the name of Lutens around him. Perhaps Baldwin had even put his own Knights as the stake. I shook my head and sat down with a plop. I sat down by the table where the man was sitting, and threw down the chips I had exchanged. All the gold coins in my hand had already been exchanged with chips. To relieve Baldwins grudge, I had to gamble and get the money back. Of course, from the same guy whod drained his money in the first place. What, a Pilgrim? Priests are now even allowed to gamble, hahaha! I didnt know the guys name. However, seeing how he had exhausted all of Baldwins fortune, he mustve had a knack for gambling. Lord Valtherus cares only for swords. Gambling is not prohibited. The mans eyes changed. He seemed to have realized that I didnt have good intentions. I know what youre thinking, but youd better go home. Im stronger than I look. Ive had a knack for gambling since I was a kid, so Ive never lost money. I dont want to steal money from a Pilgrim. There are many things in the world that you can only know once you experience them. Whether its gambling C Or something else. When I didnt back down, he looked at me like he was having fun and fiddled with the dice. Pilgrim, Pilgrim. I dont know if you know, but the eldest son of a noble family who was gambling with me just an hour ago died after squandering his fortune. So I dont want to keep going and take even a Pilgrims money right now. Is that so. He said he came here to earn money for his family that was in the middle of a war. I stole that kids money, and his life too, so. I dont want to do this again. War can be a great source of money. But it also costs a lot of money. He had no talent with swords, and no charisma to command an army. The only thing he had was a talent for gambling, and the only thing he wanted was to help the family by winning a lot of money. So go back, I heard his voice like this. So, dont try anything wrong, and go back. I dont want to rob money away from a Son of God. This kind of a situation was beyond my knowledge. All I wanted was the stacks of chips around me. Dozens of those stacks of chips. Thats what the Corpse Grace desired. Lets see your skill. If you say it like that lets, see what a priests gambling skill can be like. He shoved a chip with a sullen face as if he had drunk too much. Master, hes called Ged. Hes a gambler nobody in Tristar can beat! Ignoring the noisy Bruns C I threw the dice. Roll. Yes. The dealer placed two dice in a wooden cup and shook them. Dakak, dakak. Soon, the cup landed on the table, and a number was spat out of Geds mouth. Six. Two dice in total. So you just need to spit out a number up to twelve. If you get close to the correct answer, you win money, otherwise you lose money. If both participants are not close, the dealer gets the money. Its a simple game. Nine. The same chip was placed and the number was said, and the cup in the dealers hand was lifted. Ged looked at the dealer once. The dealer knocked on the cup and opened it. Two dice appeared soon. Three and three. The total was six. Oh, I was lucky. It was the guys victory. It was a simple and clear game. It was a method that had to be based purely on luck, so it was simple, but it was fun. I lost half of my money in one match, but I smiled. It seems that the Pilgrims have no talent in gambling because theyre always busy with searching for swords and practice. Instead of answering, I placed all my chips and Arsando hanging from my waist on the table. What are you doing? Just this much isnt enough if youre a man. A good sword. Arsandos blue edge flashed sharply. Its a Life Sword. A rare one. One of these swords can buy you a house. Life Swords are not common. This might be enough of a stake. However, the man made a gesture as if this wasnt enough. More than swords, I want miracles performed by Pilgrims The Knights of Lutens that I met recently said the same thing. The territorial battles still hadnt seen an end. Although there were sufficient munitions and they were progressing towards victory, but the long war was ruining the territory. It seemed that Callius wasnt the only one who wanted to raise the stakes. I see. But do you have enough wealth to afford that? Geds eyes fluttered slightly. Im serious. As the stakes increased at once, spectators gathered one by one. He glanced at the onlookers and then rested his back to the chair. Of course. Dozens of bundles were placed on the table as if waiting for this moment. Thump, thump! All the chips he had picked up today. I have some talent, so if I change all of these, it should be more than enough for your ransom. Itll be about a thousand gold coins. Plus. Tuk. He pulled out a couple of blank cheques. The two cheques, each signed by him, were valued the equivalent of a thousand gold coins each. Three thousand gold coins in total. It was the sum total of his property. As expected of the city of nightlife. I was bored because I thought there were no outstanding men in Tristar, but this turned out to be a lot of fun. At this point, I was curious about the identity of the guy. I thought he was just a gambler, but that wasnt quite right. Bruns. Yes? You shake it. I, what do you mean? Geds eyes changed. Its just putting dice in a cup and shaking it, anyway. It doesnt matter who does it. When I asked if it werent so, Geds mouth twitched. Or do you think Im going to cheat? I swear on my sword and my God. Unlike others, I wont play any tricks. Good. Dakak. The dice were thrown into the cup. Dakak, dakak, dakak. Only the sound of the dice shaking inside the cup broke the silence. Thud. The dice cup went down. A beat passed in silence. Three dice. The numbers were from 1 to 18. Callius gray eyes, which had been closed all this time, gleamed. Two. Two? Hahaha, hey, Pilgrim. Were you just looking for a place to stay? Number, two. There were three dice, but calling the number 2 was such an absurd thing that it seemed like you didnt even know the rules of the game. Ged laughed and shouted his choice. Ill say three! Number, three. Soon the dealers hand moved. The cup was lifted. The spectators murmured that it was absurd. They thought that the Pilgrim who didnt even know the rules would have the same fate as that person from the Lutens family. But the moment the cup was lifted C All the onlookers were flabbergasted. Ugh! One of the three dice in the cup had landed on top of another. The dice stacked in a layer of two showed one, and the third dice also indicated the number one. Lord, the dice say two! Its the Pilgrims victory. Wow!! Cheers rang out. In a single game, Callius had earned more than three thousand gold coins. Phew. There was something I could put my trust in. It was possible because it was a dice game. Id concentrated my divine power in my ears and raised my auditory acuity by several times. The sound of dice hitting, the angle of the cup the dealer shook C everything was in my range. It was an answer Id come up with after calculating everything. Because this dice up itself had been tampered with from the beginning. Of course, it wasnt just because Id concentrated my divine power on my ears. [Bards Blessing] Grade C Epic. Best musical talent. Callius one and only talent. It was because of Bards Blessing. It was possible because sound was considered as part of music. There was a synergy between the absolute pitch granted by the Bards Blessing and the sharp hearing amplified by divine power. Luck seems to be leaning towards me this time. Callius took all the chips on the table. Ged was almost stupefied by the current situation. What. What happened? He had been gambling since the age of five. Hed moved around the gambling halls to improve his skills and eventually gathered a lot of money. Of course, it wasnt all just his perfect skills. The ability to cheat while gambling. Cheating is also a skill. He worked with the dealer and hid the trick in the dice cup itself. Tapping the cup moved the dice. He made the dice move whichever way he wanted, and the other party didnt even notice it. Ged who was building his legend of invincibility based on that. But then a pilgrim appeared. He looked quite menacing, but the crisis soon turned into an opportunity. A madman who bet himself with a stake when provoked a little. Money was good, but if you had cadavers, it would be better if you brought a pilgrim who could make countless swords. After all, victory is certain. An invincible myth that has never been broken. Ged didnt think it would break today. So, he couldnt believe what was going on. I lost? The stack of chips on the table. It was moved towards the Pilgrim. Is it a dream? Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. No, its not a dream. All of his fortune evaporated. It was all his wealth, which he had hoarded for so long, more wealth than most nobles had. A fever rose inside Geds head. Put that down! Ged drew his sword from his waist. Whether it was because he was drunk, or not able to withstand the weight of the sword, he staggered dangerously. Its my money. Its my money!! The great gambler shouted. A cold wind blew in the casino where a festive atmosphere had been spreading. Is there something more? Callius asked quietly. I had nothing C there couldnt be C Shut up!! Even if youre a Pilgrim, who do you think I am!! Ged swung his sword. Whoo! His flimsy sword cut through the air. Callius didnt even get up from his chair, but grabbed Brunss neck and moved his body a shield. Ahh!! Chwak! Blood soaked the gambling table. Ahhhhhhh! Ged drew his sword!! The onlookers screamed and started running away. A faint smile crept across Callius lips. Ouch! Tuk. Callius, who threw Bruns aside, picked up Arsando from the table. You hurt my follower. That too, in Tristar. Callius took a step forward. Then Ged, whose face had turned pale, stepped back. Kill him! Kill him right now! Ha, but! Cant you hear me telling you! Kill him! I own you all! Kill him!! Under Geds pressure, the Knights clenched their teeth and drew their swords. They were just trying to live. Callius couldnt stand it. His sword surged like lightning. Seuk. Ah! A Knights arm flew away. No, stop him! That cultist is trying to kill me! Stop him! Four remained. But none of them were Callius opponent. Pak, pak. Each time he swung his sword, a Knight fell down bleeding. Step by step, by simply stabbing and cutting, the Knights of Lutens fell down like scarecrows. Neither the swords they held in their hands nor their hard armor could stop Callius Arsando. The gap between Callius and the Knights was so far and wide that nothing could fill it. And soon after C Oh, dont come! Dont come, you devil!! Ged threw at Callius anything he could get his hands on. Callius twisted his lips as he looked at him. This is a gift from Baldwin. Sa, save me Kuk! Kuduk, pak. The Carcass made of Baldwin. Callius stabbed Ged with it. He could feel the bones breaking and the heart being pierced through his fingertips. Ged spurted blood and died without fanfare, and Callius looked at the cooling body with calm eyes. As if Baldwins Carcass had no more time, it quickly turned into smoke and disappeared. [Baldwins Gamble C Complete] [Special rewards are given.] [Tricolour Eye] Grade C Rare. See objects in three colours. Red, blue, gold. As expected. Tricolour Eye. A characteristic that can determine what kind of effect an object will have on the character, and indicate that with three colours. Ive acquired a characteristic that will be of great help in my future journey. Its rare. You can get characteristics through Corpse Grace. I didnt know that at first. Until I remembered the name Baldwin. Baldwin de Lutens. He is the eldest son of Viscount Lutens and has a talent for gambling. A person with original characteristics. When such a person left regrets due to an unfair death and created a Corpse Grace. The person who resolves it would gain the trait. I was lucky. To have met Baldwin just in time. Tadadadadat. The moment I was feeling satisfied with my newly acquired characteristic C Sreung! The casinos guards approached me with swords drawn. And at the centre of them was a person walking leisurely with a cigar. Thump, thump. A giant had appeared. You did this. A stature larger than others. A slender figure and a muscular body. Claw marks on his eyes. Unlike his all-white hair and appearance like that of a wild beast, he was dressed in a well-fitting suit. Cedric. Owner of the Casino de Cedric. Cedric Bor Madrician. Do you know me? Of course. I came all the way here to meet you. Hey, I dont know if you dont understand the situation, or if your liver is trying to jump out of your belly. This casino was run by Cedric. There, Callius killed the Knights of Lutens and their current master, Ged. With this fact alone, there was no problem in being expelled from Tristar or being imprisoned. It was just self-defence. Yeah? It wasnt in my opinion. You know that? In my business place, what I say is the law. Its fine if it was self-defence. But it wasnt, in my opinion. Callius eyes narrowed. Were you aiming for that from the beginning? I dont know what youre talking about. Ged must have been a thorn in his eyes, taking money out of his den. But there was no way to solve it, so he left it alone, and then Callius ended up intervening which was fine with him. Callius even killed Ged and his whole crew, so for Cedric, if he beat the Pilgrim who caused trouble and kicked him out of Tristar, all the problems would be solved and he would get the money. One stone, two birds. Callius roughly understood the situation. Although he hadnt known this would happen C But he had killed Ged with Cedric in mind. Calliuss eyes gleamed. Tricolour Eye. When he looked at Cedric with it, his figure appeared pale red. Red, indicated danger. Chapter 11 Chapter 11 To the readers. Now that weve gone through the first few chapters of the story, wed like to know how people are finding it. We picked up this project because the story had an appeal to us C it was dark because it depicted a dark world, without being what we thought as unnecessarily edgy. Since this translation is not monetized (although we might set up a Patreon in future), reader engagement is the only metric we can judge by. Please leave a comment or reaction on the chapters if you have the time; and if you have formed enough of an opinion on the story quality please rate it on Novel Updates. Thank you for your time. A procession of Inquisitors was entering Tristar. A group with Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor Ryburn at its centre. In front of them, a woman with dazzling sun-coloured hair stood silently. Esther Sol Ciliad. She stood facing them without a word. Pilgrim Esther. I didnt know you would be here. I knew. A blunt answer. An exceptional momentum was brewing under that. One that should have been absurd for a Pilgrim who had not even found their sword. The genius who succeeded Stella. That is how the current Church viewed her. Which pilgrim would have dared to look at the Heretical Inquisitor so proudly otherwise? If she finds her sword . How strong you will become? Ryburn peered into Esthers eyes and then looked around. I think you came here at the command of Bishop Alvato. He must have wondered about the authenticity of the news of the apostate, Callius. Yes. It was a monotonous answer, bordering on rude. However, Ryburn did not waver and continued. I dearly hope the Lady Sullivan is well. It was then that an expression appeared on Esthers face. As the beautiful eyebrows narrowed, an indescribable feeling rose. Perhaps it was something close to joy? Esther turned her back, not answering Ryburns question. He stared at her without moving until she disappeared, and only spoke after she had completely vanished from view. I dont hear a single footstep. Yes? Oh, thats right. I didnt notice. Only a year ago, Pilgrim Esther chased behind me. But now that I see her again C Shes now walking side by side. A terrifying growth. Ryburn stared after her for a long time, with a lingering feeling of jealousy and fear. Lets go. Our purpose is to find the apostate, Callius. Before Esther Sol Ciliad C Find Callius and secure the relic. Thats the top priority. Worst case C we might end up pointing our swords at her. Ryburn, speaking in distaste, ordered a search across Tristar. Kid, look at how stiff your neck is. Lets see if you can still bark like a dog after getting beaten like a dog. Taang! Taang! The gauntlets that covered his hands banged together with a shrill iron sound. Callius eyes shone sharply. Those werent the simple gauntlets worn by Knights. They were cestuses. Traces of a forgotten god that remained to the present day. Cedric, the last follower of the Forgotten God. A weapon created by the miracle of the God he worshipped C that is, a Carcass. Cedric Bor Madrician. Pilgrim from this declining Kingdom, youre calling my name in vain! I have come to collect the debt of Armo, a herbalist from the West. Flinch. Cedric, who was about to attack Callius like a nimble tiger, stopped moving. His colour changed to blue. Debt? Im not a person who lives taking on debt, so you must have misunderstood something. Are you saying that you dont recognize the name of the herbalist Armo? The herbalist had said. Cedric had taken a precious herb from him. The herb was for his only daughter, a child. However, despite all his effort, the daughter died, and he had reached the present day. Cedrics mouth shut. He seemed somewhat worried. But Callius was not concerned. If that was not enough, he had still a lot more to say. Have you found the Oracles Gaiters yet? Then, Cedrics face distorted so viciously that it didnt look like a face any more. However, that was fleeting. Ptui! Spitting, Cedric bit his words at the casino guards behind him to stay put. And you bastard you follow me. Cedric showed his wide back and pulled a new cigar out of his suit pocket. Seeing that, Callius calmed his pounding heart. Cedric, the chief of Krasion. Cedric, the last follower of the Forgotten God. Cedric, who missed his dead daughter. He was one of Callius favourite characters on The Pilgrims Path, and he was also a very difficult character to make friends with. Its blue now. But Callius was convinced. His colour will soon turn into gold. In the office of Casino de Cedric. Callius sat down on the guest sofa and faced Cedric who was sitting opposite him. Cedric Bor Madrician. The strongest combat power, either first or second place, within Krasion. He concealed his identity and hid in Carpe now, but if he revealed his power properly, no one in the city could defeat him except Gerald, the owner of Tristar. You bastard, who are you? Hooo C Like a long sigh, the white cigar exhaled smoke. The spewing smoke climbed up his body and disappeared into the ceiling. A Pilgrim. And the one who will collect the debt from you in lieu of the herbalist Armo. You must be well aware thats not what Im asking. Seeing Cedric growling like an animal, Callius buried his back deeply in the back of the sofa. Are you asking about the Twin Gods? Callius smiled softly. Twin Gods. Miracle and Oracle. The Miracles Cestuses, and the Oracles Gaiters. Cedric was an apostle of a Forgotten God, who served the Twin Gods. Long ago C There was a multitude of tribes worshiping different Gods, and all of them were mutually entangled in war. The winning tribes accumulated power and prospered to form a nation, and the losing tribes disappeared into history and were forgotten. Cedric was a worshipper of such an old God. Among them, were the unusual Twin Gods, Miracle and Oracle. It was a religion that had been passed down through the ages, but now it was in a state where the only believer was Cedric alone. Churches that serve their Gods have divine relics, and without those relics Gods miracles cannot be performed. A Church without Gods miracle cannot gather devotees, so Cedric had been looking for Oracle Gaiters since a long time ago. Only then will he be able to lay the foundation for the resurrection of his faith. But Cedric cant find it. Until his death, he cannot find the relic, the Oracles Gaiters. Because the gaiters . How did you know of my God? No one knows my god even in Krasion. There are only two people in this world who know that I am the Saint of Miracle. Cedrics question dispersed his train of thought. Callius answered, looking at Cedric calmly. Isnt there something more important than knowing about the Twin Gods? Cedric. You have to pay me back the debt first. The Gods can come second. Kwaang!! You. Do you really want to die? Cedrics patience had reached its limit. The table was smashed under his palm. The importance and symbolism of the Churchs sacred objects were clear. But that only made Callius slow down even more. In this world, no one knew where the Oracles Gaiters lie. Apart from one. An existence who had made up this world and its various settings. Apart from Callius himself. Its a bit heavy though. The momentum that Cedric exuded and the power contained in it was amazing. Callius was acting calm as much as he could, but there were still drops of sweat on his back. Currently, Cedrics combat force was one of the most powerful in the Carpe Kingdom, except for the Five Paladins. If you get into a proper fight, you can die in an instant. But thats why C You have to be sure. You must not turn him into an enemy. Awkward alliance? Shallow friendship? No. Such an ambiguous relationship would only incite suspicion and invite the shadow of death. If you have a relationship that cant be broken, you have a higher chance of survival. Being close with a strong man like Cedric in Carpe, where there is no one to turn to, can turn a crisis into an opportunity. Thats the only way that I can live. After organizing his thoughts, Callius reached for the teacup prepared on the table. The tea set was quite luxurious. A limited-edition teacup set made by a master. It was definitely his favourite teacup, as tea making was one of Cedrics few hobbies. If you break it, Cedrics fist will fly straight away . You must take the initiative. Callius carefully grabbed the teacup and sipped the tea. Come on, before my fists crush your teeth. Cedric blinked his bloodshot eyes. The simmering has finished. Cedric. I am the only one who knows where the Oracles Gaiters are in this world. Do you think that attitude is appropriate? Thats right. Im going to grab you right now and hang you upside down to use you like of a punching bag. Then your tongue will spit out the truth, right? Gulp. Callius didnt even bother to threaten him and put his hands on his legs and clasped them. You should have already done your preliminary investigation on me. Then you know that such threats wont work. Yeah. A bastard child from Jervain, the famous family that stands as one of the pillars of Carpe. Had no talent in swordsmanship, and even the Church, a garbage that only lifted womens skirts. Thats you, Callius von Jervain. Ive never heard about lifting skirts, thats a bit strange. The fact is that you are the prodigal son of the Church, famous enough that there was no need to investigate further. Well, I did have a handsome face. Where did that mongrel go? Its just embarrassing to be criticized for something youve never done. So, I was curious. Your swordsmanship that I saw wasnt that great. But no matter how famous Jervain is, that shouldnt be enough to throw you away. Besides, the eldest son Cedric looked at Callius with a curious expression. Three years as a Pilgrim. What the hell happened to you? But Callius did not answer. He just demanded. You dont need to know that. Cedric. All I want is the same as I said the first time. It looks like theyre right. You dont seem to understand what people say until youre beaten. Cedric dropped his cigar. Callius eyes lit up. That was then. Cedrics fists moved. Bear Claw Cedric. Like his nickname, in an instant, his clenched fist was right in front of Callius eyes. Not giving him any time to react. Hooo!! A strong wind blew through Callius dark hair. He couldnt move in the face of the huge bear-like fist in front of him. . Ttt. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. Cedric stopped his fist. His gaze rested on the teacup that Callius was holding. Phew. What if you werent holding a teacup? Cedrics fist would have hit him right in the face. Callius would have become a bloody mess with just that one shot. Cedric. Dont you know whos holding the cards right now? Youd better not do anything rude. If you put a single finger on my body, you wont be able to find Oracles Gaiters forever. Cedric, who stared at him for a long time, put his buttocks back on the sofa again. Thump. What? What do you want. At that moment, Callius put down the teacup and raised the corners of his lips. I want one thing. Cedric. So, what is it, bro? With you C I want to be a brother. What? Cedrics face contorted. A brother who has the same rank, not a superior or subordinate relationship. That was the condition and wish I had for Cedric. Cedric looked at me like a madman and didnt believe me at all. But I ended up negotiating with him to acquire the Oracle Gaiters. Ill see you later, brother. And became a brother with him. Brother. The word brother is strangely viscid. Cedric knew the truth of that. So at first he refused, but finally he accepted. Of course, now he only says we are brothers, but he wont believe it. But as time goes by, he will start to think of me as a brother. Cedric is like that. Outwardly, savage and cold-hearted. But that hides a lot of warm affection. Its still blue . The moment when doubt turns into trust C He will turn gold. Whoa C Im tired. Click. This was a room that Cedric gave Callius to go in and rest. A VVIP room on the top floor of the casino. The spacious rooms were all lined with expensive ornaments and furniture. The appearance of Tristar Fountain Square seen from the living room window and the feast of lights that illuminated the predawn sky were meant to give a glimpse into the core of the nightlife city. That pattern A sword, the symbol of the Valtherus Church, but similar to the shape of a cross. The crossed red sword symbolizes the Inquisitors, so why is it here Are there any apostates here? But that has nothing to do with me. Whether there are apostates or not C Now is not the time to care about others. I immediately wiped the blood off my body with the prepared water and laid down on the bed. The soft bed, hugging me warmly. Itd been a while, this kind of comfort. Most of my nights were spent camped in forests or in shabby inns and stables. It was a place Cedric managed, so there wont be a sudden rain of blades. Drowsiness poured in with a strange sense of relief. Tomorrow, Ill go to Trishs auction house and buy some Holy Water materials Ill go down to the basement and see if there are any good artifacts. Somehow, I had a lot of money in my hands. Three thousand gold coins. It was wealth obtained through gambling. The amount was equivalent to several years worth of taxes of a great lord. I dont have to worry about the money, Cedric can take care of it. I also received deeds and checques that could only be used in big cities like Tristar. Cedric wasnt a guy to play around with my money in the first place. It would be nice to have some decent artifacts . There must be something useful. If not, I might as well ask Cedric to help. Artifacts are also known as imitations of relics. There might be something useful in Cedrics hand. Tomorrow. My eyelids were drooping. Click. But then, the sound of a locked door trying to be opened was heard. Seung. Slowly, Callius reached out and grabbed Arsando that was resting by his bedside. Jebak, jebak. Sound of walking. Soon, when the intruder had come close C Sreung! Arsandos blue edge stopped right at the neck of the uninvited guest. Hey! What is it, you. I, Master! I did wonder what kind of assassin was this sloppy. It was nobody other than Bruns. Were you alive? What, of course! I didnt know because I didnt care. I thought it was a shallow cut. It went better than expected. Heh, Bruns isnt somebody who will die from the sword of an amateur! I just had to spit on the wound a little bit! Bruns showed off his wound while bragging, but it seemed that he had got a lot of expensive medicine and treatment for it. Who did all this? The people at the casino. Even the bandages smell good. It seemed that Cedric cared. Because I said, follower. I had just been making up an excuse to kill Ged, though. Callius looked at Bruns as if it was ridiculous, and smirked. I think they did this much because I called you a follower. Yes! But youre not really a follower of mine, are you? At Callius blunt words, Bruns lowered his head to the bedside as if he had been waiting. I, Bruns, am just a thug from Tristar but I fell in love with Masters audacious gambling skills and relentless swordsmanship today! Please let me follow you to the end! Thats sudden. Obviously, it was no different than setting myself up as a shield, but this attitude . Was this planned or is he just an idiot? It was one of the two. Of course, Callius put more weight on the latter. Take me as you follower! I will do anything! Well. Youre a funny one. Thanks for waking me up. Callius took Arsando back, put his cloak on and started getting ready to leave. Where are you going? Black market. I was going to go tomorrow, but I woke up, so Im going to go now. Trish Auction House. The so-called black market. There will be some things that will disappear after today. Uh Then I Callius looked at Bruns and raised the corners of his lips. Would you follow me? Yes!! Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Hooo. Cedric was alone in his office, which was filled with white smoke from his cigars. A hazy mist filled the room, making it difficult to see him. The ashtray was full of burnt cigars. Tock, tock. Cedric, who had been sitting with his head bowed, raised his face at the knocking sound. He rubbed the cigar he had been holding in his mouth on the ashtray, extinguishing it, and cleaned his face with a cloth once before opening his mouth. Come in. The footsteps were familiar. It was his henchman. How was it? Its true. He told a pilgrim named Callius to take over the debt that Cedric-sama owed. Huh, that was actually true? Just for that C He had his servants sent out at this late hour to ask for confirmation. It couldnt be a lie. Because it was a story that no one knew except the herbalist Armo, and himself. You had to work late. Good job. Yes, sir. As the man stepped back, Cedric pondered what Callius had said. The location of the relic, the Oracles Gaiters. Is it true? The Oracles Gaiters that had not been found for centuries. The generational goal of the Madrician family. Its location was that simple? Cedrics father had spent his life searching, so did his grandfather, and his great-grandfather, and yet in the end they hadnt been able to find the Oracles Gaiters, the relic of the Twin Gods. Objectively speaking, it was hard to believe. Especially since it was an uncouth young man who was only about twenty years old, and even more so, because he was an uncouth person who was also reputed to be an idiot.[1] One would have to be a fool to believe. How could a person who seemingly had never left the Kingdom, know where the relic is hidden? It didnt make sense. However . Even if the chance was one in a thousand. But still, what if that statement was true? What if he really knew the location of the relic Cedric had been looking for so long? Then, of course, there was no reason not to accept his conditions. Whatever they were, he must meet the conditions to find the relic. Cedric had a duty to find the Oracles Relic, even if it meant sacrificing everything he had. Establish a Church in Carpe. His request was absurd. They swore to God that they would become brothers, and promised to establish the Church of the Twin Gods in the Carpe Kingdom. The location of the relic. Jervains bastard Whats your plan? No matter how much I think about it, I dont know what kind of secret he is hiding. Establish a Church in the Carpe Kingdom. Brotherhood with himself. These two do not seem closely related in any way. He must know that my Cestuses are not simple decoration. Even so, Callius did not dodge an inch away from his extended fist. Didnt even blink an eye. Great guts, or just fearless? Haa Thats what youd have to be like to be a brother. But really, what was that about establishment of a Church in Carpe? Even if the Church is resurrected after search for the holy relic succeeds, there is no benefit for him to gain by establishing it in Carpe. For the sake of the Kingdom, you say? I was wondering what kind of bullshit that was. However, it didnt look like he was telling a bald-faced lie. So, I couldnt understand him more and more. He did not have a pivotal role in the Order of Valtherus, nor was he the next head of the family who will inherit the title of count. The collected information about Callius depicted a very typical young noble aristocrat. And even more than that, he was a Pilgrim abandoned by the family. But, did such a person do things for the Kingdom and for the Church? Confusing. That guy C What is your design? Hopefully, that bastard C You dont want to be a patriot and fight against the Empire, right? No way. How are you going to save the Kingdom that is already falling apart? If I had been in his position, I would have had no affection for the Kingdom beyond my family and the Church. In addition, it was none other than the Valtherus faith which was established as the state religion in Carpe. But are you thinking of establishing the Church of the Twin Gods in that place? Neither the state nor the Church will let that go. Its all nonsense. But, ironically, thats why its even harder to figure out the truth. Am I worrying too much? Did the mental energy I put into searching for the holy relic made me pessimistic? Im probably just tired. Lets hear the location first. If I find the relic in that location, he will become my own irreplaceable brother. Otherwise, he doesnt need to live under the heavens. So just hit him and kill him. Establishing a Church in Carpe . If I was still searching for the relic, it would be beyond stupid to set up a Church in Carpe. Why would I dare do that in a country on the verge of being eaten by the Empire? No, no. If only I could find the relic. Once you find it, you can do anything. Cedric made up his mind. That was then C Click. Cedric! Pilgrim Callius has moved. Yeah? Where did he go? Trish. Trish? If youre young, you want to keep your waist light. Cedric stroked his chin and nodded. Now that you have too much money, you want to spend it. What should we do? Report every detail to me, even whether he pees with his right hand or holds it with his left hand. No. You said he went to the auction house. Ill have to go see it myself. Is he someone to trust or someone to kill? I want to watch him in person. Cedric put on his coat. But he couldnt get out of his office. Whos this? Isnt it Sir Ryburn, Heretic Inquisitor of the Order of Valtherus? At some point, in front of him, Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor Ryburn had arrived. Behind him were the other Inquisitors. Cedrics eyes narrowed. A pretty tough guy has arrived. To him, who was hiding his identity, the Inquisitors from the Church were one of the people he did not want to get involved with. Sir Cedric. Long time no see. Whatre you all doing here at this late hour? Suddenly arriving like this without informing us in advance, isnt that a bit rude? Cedrics lips drew a curve. His mouth was smiling, but his eyes gave off a sharp glint like an angry beast. The Inquisitors around him narrowed their brows as if they felt uncomfortable because of his surly momentum. We are looking for an apostate. We ask for your cooperation. Apostate? Why do you need my help in finding an apostate? Besides Gerald of Judgment in Tristar, you are the most influential person. Ryburns answer was short and concise. He was indicating that it was better to come to him instead of the other choice. Cedric pretended not to notice. What did that old official, Gerald, say? No. We havent met Gerald-sama yet. Huh~ You havent even talked to the official in charge, but youre still bringing an armed group into my business place and giving orders as if its the right thing to do. I apologize if I was rude. I am following Gods will, and I ask for your understanding. Then I ask for your pardon. Please dont bother us and go away. Rude! Sreung! An Inquisitor, who was not familiar with Cedric, drew his sword. But the tip of his sword could not even begin to point towards Cedric. Taeaeng! Whik, pak! Before the sword could be pulled out, it was snapped in two by Cedrics fist. After being snapped in two, it quickly turned into black smoke and disappeared. A broken Carcass. Arent the Inquisitors of the Valtherus Church purposefully carrying broken swords? Is it fashionable these days? The interrogators bit their lips at Cedrics sniffling laugh. Many people were angry at his sarcasm, but no one dared come forward. Youre still very good. It would have been great if you had turned to God Valtherus. Heh, thats the kind of stuff I hear every day, even from the old official. Ryburn looked at him with serious eyes as if he was apologetic. Sir Cedric. We have one request. We ask for your cooperation in the search for Callius, a possible apostate currently in Tristar. Apostate? Callius was an apostate. Maybe he. The Oracles Relic. Were you actually a Brother? Trish Auction House. Callius was wearing a half-mask and had changed into neat clothes, and Bruns was next to him. If its Cedric, hell probably want the location of the relic as soon as possible. I have two conditions. Make a kinship with me as my brother. This is a naturally a condition that must be met, since it is likely that his power as well as combat prowess will become stronger if he finds the holy relic. And the other condition was the establishment of the Church in Carpe. It wont be easy, but by the time he finds the holy relic and reappears to form a Church, this side will also be busy. The Empire will try to suppress Carpe by force and trample down and uproot all religions other than its own Gods. As long as Im a follower of Valtherus, I have to stop that much. So, form a balance of power. The way for me to survive is to establish the Church of the Twin Gods in Carpe and add more strength to the Kingdom. Theres nothing worthwhile. Is that so? From my point of view, all the things here are precious enough to make my eyes pop out, arent they? The quality is definitely different. The ordinary swords hanging here are all quenched by a masters hand. All the armor and helmets are of high quality. Hey, Master. This dress is worth three hundred gold coins! Bruns. Youre noisy. Oh, okay! However, as Bruns said, the goods here are of good quality, but they are expensive. Expensive, but too expensive. Not good value for money. These are just for showing off. In other words, not something that Callius needed. Where is the basement? The items on the exchange were equipment for ordinary people. It was not the place where the extraordinary things he was looking for would be located. When Callius lost interest, Bruns stepped in and asked around. He asked some of the employees who were sitting there, but there was no profit until he sprinkled some silver coins. Only then did Bruns expression brighten up and he rushed back. I know the location. Shall I take you there? Okay. I thought Id brought a low-class thug as a retainer, but they were more discerning than I thought. Cant be trusted yet, but still, not useless, so it wont hurt to wait a while longer. Visit wuxiaworld.site for extra chapters. Come this way. As I headed after Brunss guidance, the way became narrower and narrower. After a while, a small auction house appeared. People were bidding for something. However, the bidders and items looked quite ordinary. Callius recognized at a glance that this was not the auction house he wanted. Lets go underground. There is no meaning in staying here. As they walked along a more secret path, they saw a staircase leading to the basement. In front of them, again, there were guards at the entrance. Please identify yourself. Hey, do you know who youre talking to But, Master, what was your name? Move. Pushing Bruns away, Callius handed over a card, and the staffs eyes widened. Black Card You are Cedric-samas distinguished guest. I didnt know. The staff looked at the card carefully with a magnifying glass, interpreted the password only they knew, and shook their head. Confirmed. The card says Ashen Wolf, would you like to use a pseudonym or just use as it is? No need. Okay. Ashen Wolf, number 770. The auctioneer handed Callius a sign with the number 770 on it. An ash-gray wolf . He wrote something strange. Cedric, that little But Masters respect Enough. Yes! Callius, who had changed his half-mask, adjusted his clothes and headed downstairs. Its dark. The stairs continued for quite some time. Each candle led them as if they were a procession of guides in the dark. How far down the stairs did they have to go? Oh, theres the end! Cant you just shut your mouth for a moment? So-, Im sorry. As I went down the stairs, my ears caught the remote noise seeping into the quiet. The roaring noise and the cries of several animals were mixed in. This is it. There was a stinky smell. Bad odour, lack of proper ventilation. The smell of distressed animals and blood. And the smell of greed. Chuckle. The guard at the entrance looked at Callius with sharp eyes. The eyes were different from those outside. The gatekeeper here showed the coldness of somebody who had crossed the line between life and death several times. Looks like youre right. Satisfied, Callius showed his card and token from his bosom. The guard immediately bowed his head and escorted him to the auction houses VIP room. The number was 770, but he had a black card, so he was guided to the VIP seat. It was the at centre of the second floor where you could see the entire auction house at a glance. The sofa, which was wider and more comfortable than the normal seats, spoke of the specialness of the location. Is there an auction going on? Were just getting started. The catalogue is here. If you need anything else, please just let me know. Is there even a dedicated staff? Looks like Cedric has a strong influence here. Well. The catalogue was full of all kinds of artifacts and precious materials that Trish possessed. Of course, there was also a booklet confirming the items being auctioned off. But I first looked at the catalogue. These were things that could be purchased right away without going through an auction. Items not listed here could also be filled in if you wished. I checked a few items in the catalogue and filled in the necessary materials separately. The employees pupils dilated when he returned to check the ingredients I had entered. Is it fine? Of course. The employee disappeared with a confident face, and Bruns approached me curiously. What are you buying, Master? You dont need to know. I had written in the supplementary materials for Holy Water. Ironically, the Holy Water of Valtherus has a quite surprising composition because most of the auxiliary materials were extremely poisonous substances. Originally, these are things that will only be used for assassination. Now that we have secured most of the materials, we should focus on the auction. Bruns. Yes! Master! Whats going on! I cant see, so get out of the way. Ah, yes As Bruns stepped aside, I could see the auction house with a full view. Is it the second item? The item currently in the auction is the one in the second order. Its not something Im interested in. No, its not a good thing in the first place. [Do I hear any more? One hundred and forty gold coins!] One hundred and forty gold coins. The object was a small beast imprisoned in an iron cage. No, its called a monster. Often, it is in fashion for nobles to raise beasts for entertainment. Because of this, even dangerous monsters are sometimes raised by nobles by hiring a dedicated manager. The monster trapped inside the iron cage took the form of a lion cub. However, as it grows up, it will grow to the size of a house, and its known as a monster that can lead its own group to attack and devour people. Callius felt pity as he looked at the monster inside the cage. Knowing the secret behind the birth of the monster, he couldnt help but sympathize. [Two hundred!! Customer number 447 called for two hundred gold coins! Do I hear any more!? If I dont hear any more .] Tang tang! The black lion was sold to the person sitting next to him, who was using the pseudonym Tongue of Allos. It was difficult to discern his identity because he was wearing a half mask, but he had the unique attitude and dignity of an aristocrat. And then . Cheok, cheok. [This is something you dont see often here. There are a few flaws, but there is nothing else as good as this! Bidding will start at 100 gold coins!] A short slave without one eye. You couldnt see his face properly as it was covered in loose hair and a beard. However, the poison in his remaining eye and the stubbornness in the narrowed eyebrows seemed notable. The arm muscles were quite uneven, and an unbalanced height that was lower than that of a normal adult male. He was of a different race, a devotee of the Hammer God not easily found in Carpe. A dwarf. [One hundred gold coins! Do I hear any more?] The auction host, who was looking through the crowd, soon saw the 2nd floor VIP seat give a sign. [Customer number 770! You quoted two hundred gold coins!] The eyes all around were focused on the second floor at once. They wonder who would bid two hundred gold coins on that useless thing. Dwarves are good at crafting. They have good talent for creating artifacts that are known as failed imitations of holy relics. But they are just a very stubborn people. They dont make you what you want. So, they were useless as slaves. However. If you can get their favour, a dwarf would be the most valuable here by a large margin. Callius lips drew an arc. Gray eyes distinguished the three colours. From the one-eyed dwarf, a golden light was fluctuating. Editors Notes: [1] ??? (lit. horse human) basically means somebody who behaves badly. Being translated as uncouth. Chapter 13 [Customer #770 has won the bid with two hundred gold coins!!] Tang tang! Applause followed, and Callius clenched his fists involuntarily. They dont know. To ordinary people, a dwarf slave was just a dwarf who didnt listen. But to Callius, he was more valuable than any other treasure. You can sign here. Alright. He hid his excitement and signed, and a dwarf slave tied in chains appeared along with the documentary evidence. The handcuffs are actually artifacts, so you dont have to worry about him escaping. Right. It was proudly described as an artifact, but happened to be only slightly harder than regular handcuffs. Its worse than I thought. There were small scratches here and there, of course, and the nutritional status was not very good. Maybe its because you didnt listen to orders. Or because they didnt know how to deal with dwarves. His name is Dexter. Dexter, that should be correct. Then the dwarfs eyes, which now seemed more stagnant, turned towards him. Dexter. Callius recognized the name. A character who wandered from place to place as a slave by nature. Because of his strange fate, he could not fully utilize his abilities, and lived as a slave for the rest of his life. Only in his later years did his wish come true. He was a being with quite useful traits, and was essentially a golden goblin-like being for the player. Great luck if you met him. But something that was hard to come by. Dexter, a wandering slave blacksmith. I was lucky to have met him here. Dexter. Dont you want to make a hammer? Startle. Dexters body trembled slightly. I can get you a workshop and supply the minerals you will need. Thats my courtesy and respect for the Hammer God, Tundra. Eyes trembling more and more. A quite surprised face. Sharpness returned to Dexters eyes. In return, if you help me once when I want, thats enough. Just like the Pilgrims of Valtherus were looking for their own swords. The dwarves dreamed of making a hammer to dedicate to their God. Dexter. I didnt know how he came to this place, but even after he became a slave, he cant deny the instinct engraved on his bones. Dexter narrowed his brows. I knew it wasnt with the intent of refusal. He must have been judging the truth behind my words. First of all, give grace. Second, show respect. Build trust like that. Thats the way to recruit dwarves. The decision can wait till later. The next auction is going on. When Callius blinked at Bruns, he cleverly guided Dexter away to somewhere. It seemed that various other procedures were being followed. Thanks to that, Callius took part in a few more auctions with ease. [A cloak that the great enchantress Eldora made before she came of age. Its a Cloak of Twilight!] Twilight Cloak. Really, was it an artifact created by imitating the Holy relics of the gods? The Cloak of Twilight is an artifact that blocks heat and cold just by putting it on. In addition, it is not easily torn by any attack and mitigates the impact of falling, an indispensable artifact for Pilgrims traveling to various dangerous places. The famous Spirit Crafter of the Empire, Eldora. A limited-edition piece with only thirty pieces ever made! [The starting price is five hundred gold coins!] The price for one cloak was absurdly expensive. Five hundred was an amount of money sufficient to build several buildings. However, the bid for the Cloak of Twilight quickly skyrocketed. [Ah! Six hundred gold coins came out from customer #466! Seven hundred! Eight hundred again! Oh, oh! Customer #466 is bidding a thousand!] The price quickly doubled. Its terribly expensive. After winning the bid for the Holy Water supplements and Dexter, about two thousand four hundred gold coins were left. I thought for a moment and raised my hand. [One thousand two hundred! Customer #770 gave a price of one thousand two hundred!] More than a thousand gold coins. By that time, no one raised their hand any more. No, they couldnt. Time went by. Tang tang! [The Cloak of Twilight has been successfully won by customer #770!!] It was awarded with only one bid. . The Cloak of Twilight was definitely a good artifact, but whether it was worth a thousand two hundred gold coins, made me tilt my head. My stomach hurt because I thought I might have been squeezed, but what can you do? There is nothing bad about it. Besides, I obtained a dwarf slave. Dexter. If you could convince him well, you may even be able to raise the various artifacts obtained here by one more level. Its a necessary expense. Gold coins were painful to lose, but the golden light that the Tricolour Eyes showed me will fix that. You just have to sign it. After signing the paperwork for the employee who brought the Twilight Cloak, I put on the cloak right away. Its light. I didnt feel any weight at all. The auction house was underground and there were many people, so it was a little humid and hot, but the discomfort disappeared as soon as I put on the cloak. Just like this, spending 1,200 gold coins felt a little less painful. Good. It covered the entire body without feeling uncomfortable or heavy. It was very satisfying. Startle. Then, suddenly, I felt an aura from somewhere among the auction house seats below. I took a peek, and there was a person with particularly pale and shining hair among the people on the first floor. Periwinkle hair?[1] Even from under a black half-mask, those eyes were clearly pointing towards me. It turned out that to be the one who bid for the Cloak of Twilight in the beginning. Perhaps she was short of gold coins. Still, with that aura shes releasing It seemed like shed been looking for it for a while. I looked down at her and showed a triumphant smile. Then the aura got darker. If she was hoping Id be scared, tough luck. This wasnt some other place, this was Tristar. There was no reason to be afraid. Looking at her aura, she seems to be quite talented, but what could she do? Go back and raise more money? Naturally, the Cloak of Twilight is mine now. There was no returning it. You couldnt even get a refund. Heh. For some reason, the smile didnt leave my lips. Lets see, next The next few items were completely useless. Some famous pottery from a renowned country now in ruins, or some statue, things like that. And finally, the last items of the auction. As soon as I first saw the list, I knew I had to get it. [Sarira in the East. Relics in the West. And in this place, sacred stones, created by the divine power of a Saint!!] Sacred stone. A sacred stone is found where a Saint who could no longer ascend higher is cremated. A sacred stone is an aggregate of divine power. It contains the divine power of a Saint, so it is a stone with energy above even the first grade. The sacred stones of Saints are originally managed by the Churches of their respective faith, but sometimes stones seized in battle or similar are sold as auction items. Its small. The size of a candy egg. However, the energy and quality of the divine power emanating from it is exceptional. If you practice with that, the quality of your energy will greatly increase. In case of an emergency, you can use it to draw divine power, or to increase the power of the soul contained in a Carcass. Not only that, it can be used in various ways as it helps to repair or strengthen artifacts. The only flaw is that the stone is a little small . Still, I cant get it anyway because I dont have enough money left. [Start with a thousand gold coins.] Thousand, from the start. Its a sacred stone, after all. Since no other explanations were attached, it seems difficult to identify the source, too. Well, no one here cares about that. The only thing they care about is this being indeed a sacred stone. There can be no justification for such a sacred object to appear in an underground auction house. As the sacred stone appeared and its divine energy spread wide, peoples eyes changed. Eyes glistening with greed. What should I do? If you can win the bid, its definitely good. Because there are innumerable uses. It is possible to greatly increase Arsandos energy right away, and it can also be used as a training aid for Six Flowers Technique. It can also be used to craft Holy Water and enhance artifacts. But the problem is C [Came out! Two thousand gold coins!] Its too expensive. Lack of money. I wondered what would happen if I tried to use Cedrics name, but it probably wont succeed. That woman seems to have a lot of money. The water-haired woman who had glared at me earlier was competing with another guy. The price was constantly rising, and we were on the verge of 3,000 gold. It seems that she gave up on the cloak because of this. Im sorry, but I cant help you. If its not urgent, youll have another chance someday. The stone was eventually sold for three thousand and six hundred gold coins. That woman didnt win the bid this time either. The blue-haired woman lost her bid again. The person who won the bid was an overweight nobleman, who sat in the same room as me on the second floor. The woman glared at the second floor again and left the auction house in anger. Too bad for you. But it wasnt me this time. I soon bought a long cloth bag for six hundred gold coins from the final auction items. This was also a kind of artifact, and the space inside was larger than it looked, so you could put a lot of things in it. Are you done? Yes! I got everything. These were the poisonous herbs I had ordered in advance and the items needed to make Holy Water. I saw Bruns holding them and Dexter, tied in chains, following after him. Tuk. I threw the cloth bag I had just bought to Bruns. Ouch! Put it there. Everything will fit in. Yes? No, I cant put everything in here oh, theyre going in. Bruns. Yes! Come quickly. The exit was crowded with people already leaving. Ttt. When I clicked my tongue, the employee who was in charge of me approached. Ill take you to another exit. Is there another way out? This is an exit that can only be used by VVIP members. Guide me. The exit appeared when the staff with their heads bowed removed the curtains on the 2nd floor wall. It was a hidden passage that only the VIPs on the second floor could use. Come this way. Alright. I led Bruns and Dexter out of the black market. Chief, we checked all the people who escaped from the Trish underground auction house No result? Yes, Callius wasnt among them. Hmm. Ryburn took off his glasses, took out a handkerchief and rubbed it. It would have been easier if Sir Cedric gave a little help. If he, who was Tristars second-in-command, had used his strength, things would have worked out easily. All we would have had to do is lock down Tristar and conduct a checkpoint. But Cedric turned it down with a happy face. So, it just makes my heart clench. Now what? Delruin asked with a sullen face. Ryburn was silent for a moment. He has no connections here. So, if he entered the auction house, he had to come out here. Although he can change the way he wears his clothes and the overall impression, he cannot deceive his unique divine power and his eyes. In particular, the gray eyes, one of the characteristics of the Jervain family, cannot be covered by anything. But why cant we find him? We searched everywhere we could have found him. Now all that was left, was here. There is no choice but to strengthen the checkpoints. Ask the guards of Tristar for help. Strengthen the checkpoints at the entrance and ask for an increase in manpower. Yes! Oh, and C Did you see her? Yes, she was at the auction house. She looked very angry. I see. Ryburn, who was preoccupied with something, immediately gave an order to Delruin. Inquisitor Delruin. If you can, keep track of Pilgrim Esther from time to time in secret. Dont let her find the apostate first. All right! Ryburn, looking at the back of Delruin running away, tilted his head as if in doubt. But why are you so excited? He didnt understand. Thump thump. Callius was walking on a narrow path covered with glass on either side. On the right and left side, were the nobles who were together with him on the second floor. The figures of aristocrats walking leisurely with a graceful gait. The one on the right is the person who won the bid for the monster, and the one on the left is the person who won the sacred stone. Inwardly, I was curious about their identities, but decided not to care. Other than that, there were many other things to do. I had to go ahead and build a manufacturing facility to make Holy Water, and I had to experiment with the formulation. Creating Holy Water is also a matter of injecting divine power, so you have to suffer a little for a few days. No matter how moderately the Holy Water was made, the divine power was mandatory. Although Callius divine power was only at level 4, it was still correct to make Holy Water while injecting divine power. The more insurance, the better. The cloak looks good on you. Congratulations. A thought-provoking voice hit on Callius eardrums. Ah, yes. You also won the sacred stone. Congratulations. It was the fat nobleman who had won the bid for the sacred stone. He looked impressive with a handsome moustache underneath the half mask. Haha, it was a rare opportunity, so I got a bit overenthusiastic. But sir, do you by any chance use a sword? Yes. How about that. Im a little observant, so I can see a little of the Lords right hand. The calluses are impressive, characteristic of swordsmen. Besides, you bought the Cloak of Twilight and immediately wore it, so I thought you could be a Wandering Knight, but that doesnt seem likely. Wandering Knights were people that wandered in search of their master. They didnt have the wealth or honour to win the Cloak of Twilight, and sit in the second floor VVIP seats. Excuse me. Its my bad habit. He spoke again, fiddling with his moustache. But come to think of it, I remember seeing those eyes a long time ago. Eyes resembling ashes and hair dark as jet black. Or, maybe you werent a son of Jervain? Its been a long time since I left the family. Oh, excuse me I didnt ask with any bad intentions. An aristocrat who was wealthy enough to win a bid for a sacred stone. Judging from his knowledge of Jervains characteristics, he was a fairly high-ranking nobleman. Callius activated the Tricolour Eye. The colour of the man was gold. Then, how can I help? Thump. The noblemans footsteps stopped. Callius also stopped walking. Dont you want the sacred stone? What do you mean? I can give it to you. The nobleman took the jewellery box from his arms and opened it in front of Callius. As soon as it opened, a divine energy that seemed to purify the air spread out. Sacred stone. It was the item that had just been auctioned off. There must be conditions. I want to borrow the power of Jervain. Callius eyes shone brightly. Editors Notes: [1] This has been a mistranslation till now. Esthers hair is not light-coloured, its water-coloured i.e. pale indigo in Korean. The previous chapters have been updated accordingly and this will continue to be translated as water-coloured or periwinkle from now on. Chapter 14 Returning to Cedrics VVIP room, Callius sat on the bed and cautious observed the jewellery box. When he opened it slightly, a refreshing and warm energy oozed out. The sacred stone of a Saint. It was in his own hands. An escort job The person who willingly handed over the sacred stone to him was that high-ranking nobleman of Carpe. Artemion von Ormian, Count. A quite abrupt and secret offer. But the reward was too great. Sir just needs to escort an item on the move. Where to? Oliorro. Is that place not occupied by the rebels? Yes, thats right. Count Artemion answered confidently. Its like there was no need to hide it. He had the confidence that Callius would not resist his proposal no matter how difficult it was. Callius knew his intentions, but didnt show it. Is that all? Yes. Its simple. It probably wont be that simple. Its obvious when youre willing to offer something like this. Its a life-or-death risk. In fact, from the moment he held the sacred stone, the nobles colour had changed to red. After contemplating, Callius clenched the sacred stone in his hand. Saaasaaa. A sacred stone filled with the divine power of a Saint. A part of it began to seep into Callius body. He could feel the intense power hidden within that gentle flow of energy. His body glowed silver with divine light, illuminating the entire bedroom. The power is indeed great. As the light faded, Callius gray eyes slowly opened. The divine power that he possessed now was inferior to an ants urine in comparison. There was such a gap in their quality. However, the divine power that entered his body promptly returned back to the sacred stone. It was as if there was a sentient will residing in the divine power itself, and it felt like it was rejecting Callius body. As if this was not the place for it to be, so it returned to its original place without leaving a trace behind. Amazing. Callius was excited. How could a stone of this small size possess this level of power? When only a sliver of the sacred stones divine power entered his body C He felt omnipotent. He felt drunk with arrogance and pride, as if he could do anything. It was so impossible to suppress the excitement that even a strange feeling of lethargy rose when it passed. Callius immediately put the sacred stone back in the box and sat up straight. Having tasted the divine power of a Saint, there was a slight improvement in his own divine power. Its like a thread. The divine power within the sacred stone was like a thick thread that was well woven and twisted. On the outside, it looked like a thin silk thread, but on the inside, it was more like a tightly woven and twisted rope. Looking into it a little more C It felt like a bunch of threads woven like a honeycomb, gathered together to form a strand. It was as if the divine power had been divided and compressed into molecules and then entangled together. Callius decided to follow along. Even if its not perfect, maybe you can try and have some small success. When an hour has passed C Damn it. Callius spat out a curse. It was still too high a wall for the current him. He couldnt even follow along. At his level he could only move the divine power in lumps. When he tried to create a detailed texture like the divine power contained in the sacred stone, it was an utter failure. Well, thats right. If a beginner could do it, then Saints wouldnt have been called Saints. But that didnt mean there was no harvest. The direction of the spiritual force was obvious. I saw the way. Now it is a problem that can be solved by enough time and effort. If I can do it, it will be helpful for Six Flowers Technique training too. Thanks to this, I feel as if Ive found a new path towards the Six Flowers Technique. So even after failure, there is no need to be disappointed. The strands have been caught, so if I keep going like this, I can soon reach the first level of Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season. Callius put the jewellery box containing the sacred stone into the stigma. Its dangerous, but theres nothing I can do about it. I have no choice but to do it. Escort to Oliorro. If you think its becoming dangerous, just leave. Besides himself, other strong people will be gathered to form the escort force. The nobles probably trying to startle and scare his enemies using the name of Jervain. Thats probably all Count Artemion wants from Callius. Jervains name is that heavy. Its a shame that he didnt tell me what or who was the object of the escort, but I guess I know. Count Artemion himself is a character that came out of my head. The target he intends to be escorted to Oliorro C It must be that beast. That person in my mind. Callius scratched his scalp and shook his head. Anyway, the answer about the escort was to be given three days later. Artemion, who believed in Jervains reputation and handed over the sacred stone beforehand, thought Callius would definitely accept it. Anyway, there was a lot to prepare during that time. First to make Holy Water. I bought all the related equipment. If its a simple crafting table, you can even make it in any corner of this spacious room. I have no intention of making proper Holy Water, so this is enough. I have Bruns and Dexter to install the equipment, so if I start it now, it will be finished in three days. [Tears of Valtherus] x 8 [Tschilaguinea Fang] x 20 [Karmic Dew Poison] x 15 [Ortes Poison Sac] x 20 The quantity was adequate. Even if you dont make Holy Water, you can use it as poison. Anyway, if you mix and match them in a certain combination, you will be able to make Holy Water. Its not a difficult process if you check it halfway through the Tricolour Eye. Im not trying to make near-perfect Holy Water, and Valtherus Tears will absorb most of the poison. The rest is just a matter of injecting divine power. Simple. Is it Dexter next? I think Bruns can just carry my things around, but Dexter isnt suitable for that. One porter is enough. Bruns, it doesnt matter when he dies, but Dexter is different, since there is only one of him. He is essential. Hes a guy who mustnt die easily. Ill leave it to Cedric. If you make a suitable living room and workshop, that would be enough to make Dexter stay and not run away. One of the characteristics of the dwarves is that they tend to be reluctant to take on debts of sincere intention, so if given such kindness, they will try their best to pay it back. If you build trust like that . Maybe you can find out where the other dwarves are. You have to do that. Only then will you be able to survive. Hmm and next. After he had organized the next most urgent tasks in his head, he read the note left by the bedside. Im now an apostate I dont have any particular memory of committing apostasy though. Already on the way back to the room, I met Cedric and heard the story. Cedric gave a meaningful laugh at the word apostasy, but there was nothing for Callius to say. But I dont know why youre looking for relics from me. Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor Ryburn. He called me an apostate and is said to be pursuing me in search of relics. An apostate who stole the Churchs relics. Maybe he misunderstood the Tears of Valtherus I took for a sacred object? Ah, please. You cant just make that kind of mistake. Perhaps its a ploy to frame me for someone elses sins. Wouldnt it be better to shoot all the arrows at an innocent scapegoat to cover up a big event? Moreover, Callius was reputed as the prodigal son of the Order. The Counts Scapegrace. A perfect level of notoriety to push in some extra blame for any kind of sin. This might also be part of that. Because its a character that has terrible luck. Even if you stand still and do nothing, death will arrive. But whats the issue with that? It was me who created Callius with such a fate. So I just have to accept it. And overcome it. Master of Poison Akasha. Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor Ryburn. A pretty tough opponent. The best choice is to not meet. Next is running away. The worst choice is to fight. If I had to fight . Callius looked at Arsando. I may have to find a new sword. Tok tok. Master! The workshop installation is complete! Okay. Lets go quickly. No matter what you do, the Holy Water comes first. The more insurance, the better. Count Artemions hotel. In the hotels restaurant, he was cutting a large piece of meat with a knife and fork. The lamb tenderloin served with sauce tickled like waves on the tongue. As if he had a greased throat, he swallowed it lightly. It tastes great. Are things going okay, Count? What do you mean, Baron Manon? The bastard of Jervain. Huh, you idiot. Watch your mouth. Cursing Jervain is the same as insulting the Kingdom itself. Ha, but dont you know. I handed over the sacred stone to Sir Callius because I knew. Because I needed his name. He himself is not needed at all. The great honour that has been built up by his bloodline over the centuries. I just needed that. I just needed the name of the family which shared the glory of the Kingdoms founding. Since I could use the name of Jervain without any connections, a small sacred stone was rather cheap. However, Dont worry. That Jervain will accept my offer seeing the sacred stone in his hand. But in the not-too-distant future, he will pay the price for being seduced by his greed. No matter how much they say he has been abandoned by Jervain. He is still their eldest trueborn son. Even Count Jervain cant just pretend that he doesnt know. No matter how much you say a child has been abandoned C The blood in your veins will not lie. What is Callius doing? He hasnt been out of the room for three days. Perhaps hes been trying to avoid the Inquisitors eyes. Apostate. Hes been branded that way, so its understandable. Cedric wondered how Callius, bearing the surname of Jervain, became an apostate, but there was only one possible answer. He stole the Churchs relics. For what reason? And why did he reveal to himself the location of the holy relic of the Twin Gods? How did he even know of the Twin Gods? If you think about it, you will find the answer. Yeah, rather than swords, he must have been fascinated by the tough art of circles and angles.[1] Callius had discovered that he had no talent for the sword at a young age. The pressure of the family, the envy of the public C Must have suffocated him. Then he came across a story about the Twin Gods by chance. Even though he became a Pilgrim and went on a pilgrimage, he must have found the story of the Twin Gods. So, he came to know the location of the holy relics. Callius, probably C Wants to become a Saint of the Twin Gods like me. Otherwise, he wouldnt have said in vain that he wanted to be a brother with him. Then, all his actions made sense. But it is still too early to give faith, to become brothers. There are still many areas of doubt. Are things going well at the entrance? Yeah, I gave the Casinos guests a large sum of money just as you asked. They wont say anything because Cedric-samas name is guaranteeing it. Its a brothers business. So we need to handle it with certainty. All right. Chuckle. After the henchman left. Brother The word brother came out without me knowing, and somehow it sticks to my lips. Since I was raised as an only child, I thought that the word brother would feel awkward and absurd. It doesnt even make sense if you think about it. An uninhabited island in the South. Barbareum. Its the first time Ive ever heard of the island. But Callius said so confidently. A hidden island. He said that there would be the Gaiters, the sacred relic of the Oracle, and there would be a Saint who worships the Twin Gods. Im going to have to be absent for a year or so. Since its a long way, I think Ill need the time. Because it is an island hidden at the farthest edge of the South. I still cant be sure, but itll all be clear after seeing it with my own eyes. Theres no time to mess around. Well go right after making the minimum preparations. As long as you find the holy relic, you can engrave the word brother in your heart. Kahahahaha! Lets get ready! Hooo. The whole body was drenched in sweat. After performing the divine power infusion for three days in that temporary manufacturing workshop room C I was exhausted and at my limit. I had to inject the divine power little by little while maintaining its strength. When spiritual energy is exhausted, go to sleep, and when you wake up, start again. For three days. It wasnt pointless. It was significant. Thanks to that, I now had six bottles of Holy Water full of divinity in front of my eyes. It was Holy Water with one Tear of Valtherus in each. Although the quality of the divine power was low, and the impurities could not be completely removed, Holy Water was still Holy Water. I failed a couple of times, but it was still good enough for my first try. So patting myself in the back, I called Bruns, who had been waiting outside. Yes! Show me your chest. Uhh, wha?! Sh-, showing my chest W, what are you talking about here? The words were a little weird. Bruns eyes were full of confusion. I meant show me the wound. Ah yes! As he did it right away, the sword wound he had been subjected to during the Lutens case the other day was still there. Because it was a small wound, it was healing, but when I pressed it with my finger, blood oozed out. Ugh. Shut up, Bruns. I opened the stopper of a bottle of Holy Water, applied a little on my hand, and slathered it on Bruns wound. Then it worked immediately. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! Bruns screams resounded in the room. Oh, it hurts! It hurts like Im dying! Im dying! No, Im fucking dying!! Dont touch me!! Bruns squealed as if he was going crazy from the sting and rolled all over the floor. Soon after, he had foam around his mouth and his eyes were rolling back. He looked really sick. Is it a side effect? However, since smoke was coming out of the wound, the effect must have been good. Ill just come back and check on him after a few hours. Leaving behind the motionless Bruns who had fainted, I went out with a satisfied smile. Editors Notes: [1] ?? ?? (lit. circle and angle) C martial arts that depend on mobility and positioning can sometimes be described this way. Modern boxing is one example. Chapter 15 Chapter 15 Still, I was worried about the side effects of using Holy Water, so I made some adjustments afterwards. All the pain Bruns felt was the effect of the undiluted poison, so I could cut it by half. I left the manufacturing room again after refining the remaining Valtherus Tears by grinding them a little more. I have one extra Tear of Valtherus left, so Ill have to try cultivating it when I have time. If planted in a suitable place, the plant can take root if some specific conditions are met. Wheres Dexter? Oh, in the workshop. Right. Bruns kept looking at his chest after he came to his senses, occasionally tilting his head and sending me an anxious look. I wonder if I made a mistake I remember something You spat at me, telling me not to touch your body. So-, sorry! Its not that I dont understand, so its fine. He was used as a lab rat, so that much was fine. Bruns wound healed cleanly without a single scar. Since I could check the effect properly, and its been about a day since you cursed at me, I will gently close my eyes and ignore it. Kaang! Kaang! As I headed straight towards Dexters workshop, the sound of a hammer reverberated. It was a workshop set deep within the basement of the casino. It seems that Cedric paid a little attention. Even though he says he doesnt believe me, he pays close attention to this and that. He has a sweet personality. Im coming in. Hooo! Kaang! Kaang! As the door opened, a rush of heat came accompanied with the sound of iron hitting iron pounding on the eardrums. Dexter stopped, holding a hammer as large as his head, then he looked at me and clicked his tongue. One cheeky guy. Ttt. Just when I was getting into it. Bruns was furious at that dissatisfied appearance and rushed to interject. Hey! How dare you talk to your master like that! My only master is the Hammer God. Honoured Lord Tundra is the only one who can be called so. You ugly bastard. What? Calling me ugly, you little shitbag No, youre a dwarf, so youre just a shitbag, hehehe! Whirlik! Puck! Ouch! Stop that It looked like Dexter threw a piece of iron he was holding in his hand. As soon as his previous wound healed, Bruns was beaten again, and seeing the blood flowing from his forehead, his face distorted. You this bastard! Bruns rushed to Dexter like a moth, but the result was clear. Perok! With one punch from Dexter, Bruns collapsed on the floor like a straw doll. Youre weak like a foxtail. Contrary to his rough behaviour, he was a surprisingly sweet-hearted dwarf. Dexter. Have you considered my offer? Heh, Ive thought about it, else I might not be doing this here. He again picked up the hammer he had put down. Kaang! Kaang! I make a hammer! Taang! You get my hammer every time you need it. Isnt that right? Well, if you put it simply. I give him my help. He helps me back sometimes. Simple and clear. Im sorry. Actually, I have one condition. What. Three years. Three years? Let me go in three years. Tricolour Eye activated. Dexter was still shining gold. Depending on my answer, it might turn into blue or red. What about four years? Okay. Seuk. Dexters pupils dilated slightly as he held out his hand. I dont know how to do a handshake. I know. Tok. It was a pretty rough hand. Dexters lips twitched. I smiled. Then he, too, smiled softly. I am Callius von Jervain. Dexter. Dexter Boltart. His eyes seemed to have lost some of the distrust. It was a little embarrassing to do this between men. I immediately shook off the cloak I had put on. Dexter. What do you think of my cloak? Its something great. But isnt it just a bit of a pity? Hmm. Well, then, what can you do with it? Well, maybe I can do a little more decoration. I do know a bit about artifacts. However C Still, its better not to touch this cloak. Hmm. Are you kidding me? Or is it some kind of joke? I pondered for a while on what to do. If its something thats not a big deal if it breaks, then give this sword a try instead. I handed him Arsando. Its a good sword. That sharp blue brilliance again burst out. Dexter looked at Arsando and nodded his head. One moment should be enough. What are you going to do? Unleash this bastards potential. Soon, a light shone on his hammer. In Tundras name, by this hammer! May your wishes come true! Kwaang!! Along with a dazzling light, a tinnitus burst in Callius ears. Ppiii C The pain was even more intense because of the ears that had received the Bards Blessing. Frowning his brows, Dexter gasped and raised the sword. And immediately, he took my hand and made me hold Arsando. Ah. I immediately realized. A silver light flickered on Arsandos blade and began to absorb divine power, both Dexters and mine. Arsandos light, which had devoured my divine power, slowly faded. [Arsando] Grade C Life Sword. Inhabited Soul C Arsando Mirinae. Potential Ability C Open. The potential ability opened, and the strength and sharpness of the sword increased. Tok. Its evident as soon as you grab the sword. Life and Spirit, somewhere in between. A sword that was better than a normal Life Sword, yet fell very short of a Spirit Sword. But even so, Callius couldnt hide his joy. Even if you fight somebody with a Spirit Sword, this sword wont break. Its not a Spirit Sword so naturally no unique abilities are unlocked, but the increased strength and sharpness of the sword is a very good thing. A strange wave pattern was engraved on the blue blade, making it look more dignified. Callius remembered that Inquisitor Ryburn was the owner of a Spirit Sword, Poison Akasha. In any case, even if Callius ended up fighting him now, this sword would not break easily. Dexter, really. It was absolutely the correct decision to buy him. Hey, so you like it. Then take this too. This I made it because I had some free time. [Dexters Half Glove] Grade C Rare. Glove made by dwarf Dexter.Tougher and harder than normal leather because of the imbued divine power. Protects your hand. I didnt have time, so I only made one of a pair but its better than nothing. Callius immediately put on the glove on his right hand. A skinny leather half-glove. It was obviously leather, but it was thin, and the elasticity that stuck to the palm of your hand was like spandex. I like it. Well, in that case, Im glad. Keuheum. Dexter coughed and started hammering again as if he was embarrassed. Did you show your gratitude? Not bad. Im leaving Tristar for a while. Sounds good to me. Then, see you later. Yeah. Kaang! Kaang! The sound of a hammer echoed in the workshop again. Callius shrugged in his cloak and started climbing back up the stairs to the ground. Cedrics office. Are you leaving? Yeah. I wish you could stay here a little longer. As you know, the Inquisitor is looking for you. But thats not enough for me to stop. The times are moving fast. Even at this moment. The wheel of the world is turning. Callius felt nervous in a world that was moving three years faster than he had expected. In order to survive the raging storm, you have to make your way to the centre of it. If you just try to avoid the storm halfway, youll get caught up and torn apart. More than now, to survive C I have to be strong. The march of time is ceaseless, and will not wait for him. Callius. What is your purpose? Cedrics eyes narrowed. His eyes, which were usually reminiscent of wild beasts, changed to a serious impression, and the overall atmosphere also seemed quite different. That must have been how serious the question was. Purpose Survival? No, thats just the first and essential part of it. Then what is my complete purpose? Only to survive? No. I. What do I want to do in this world? Ive been thinking about it, but I cant find an answer. So, first. Empire. I must destroy the Empire to survive. My purpose is to find my own spiritual fulfilment. So, the Empire must be destroyed. There is no future unless we do something about the Holy Empire that worships one God, denies the existence of other Gods, and carelessly slaughters others. Destroy the Empire. What will follow will follow. Is it the Empire after all? The Empire the Empire! Hahahahahaha!! Cedric pounded on the table for a while, as if he was in pain, then closed his eyes and savoured Callius words. And then he grinned. The Counts Scapegrace wants to destroy the Empire. Cheok. What came out of his arms was a bracelet. This is something for you. A farewell gift to a crazy maniac. A bracelet with a simple pattern. It was thin, with leaf-like patterns on it, and a green gem in the centre. Not something ordinary. Is it an artifact? There was this guy I rescued in the Shaking Forest. When I got to know him, he gave me this present as a sign of friendship. He said I was too lively because I had too much energy. Shaking Forest. Callius eyes narrowed. Anyway, youll need it. It looks like there are a lot of people chasing after you. [Vivis Bracelet] Grade C Epic. Bracelet given to you by an elf living in the Shaking Forest. Minimizes divine power usage and saves the reduced divine power. Stored Divine Power: 0 An epic-grade artifact. Does it erase your presence by absorbing your divine power? It seemed to be used to lower your presence. In addition, the absorbed divine power could be separately stored and used when in a hurry, so it had quite a variety of uses. It also looked pretty useful when performing Six Flowers Technique or bud manipulation. Originally, it was used to stockpile the overflowing power of a Paladin-level expert with high divine power. There was no need to hesitate or refuse. Also, it was necessary. If Callius used it, his presence would become no different from that of ordinary people. Cheok. When worn, the bracelet shrunk itself to fit Callius wrist. And soon after, it began to greedily absorb his divine power. After a while C It doesnt look bad. Good. [Divine Power C 354/3621] [Stored Divine Power C 3267] There was a limit to how much divine power one person could have. But using Vivis Bracelet, one could go beyond that. The quality of the divine power couldnt be changed, but you could have an edge in quantity, so it was like putting some kind of insurance in place. It was a gift that could not be refused. Ill leave right now. Alright. There was no reason to stay in Tristar any more. I didnt have time for that. Are you heading North? I have something Im looking for. Head North, as scheduled. Even with Arsando, there were too many strong people around. He was still too weak to handle this world. Callius would have to fight through a lot of swords, and for that hed have to be strong enough. So, the Spirit Sword that was entrusted to Bernard. The time had come to find Rakan, the Thunderbolt Sword. Ah, I heard you got something from Count Artemion. Oh, thats true. It sounds like hes trying to do something in Oliorro If possible, youd better not get caught up in it. To Cedrics advice, Callius responded with a strange smile. Eventide. The passage of the sun trailing over the mountains brought dusk in the twilight. When the veil of darkness was thus covering the sky C An untimely letter arrived at the residence of Count Artemion. Quang! The staff of Count Artemion, who was striking down the table, trembled. Jervain, you bastard you dare?! How dare you ignore me like this! This was written on the letterhead C [Dear Count Artemion.] Count Artemion read aloud the letter Jervain had sent him in disbelief. Thank you for the sacred stone, it is very useful. But for some reason, I cant seem to be able to accompany you on the escort mission? Ill pay you back for the sacred stone I received in advance next time. Then let us meet again next time? Ggh! This guy what a well-written letter. No, thats not the problem, is Jervains bastard running away with the sacred stone!? Baduk. Count Artemions jaw trembled with rage. Twiss. Veins popped out! Hes like the worlds most shameless idiot!! He even dared to run away with a sacred stone in the name of Jervain!! Kahk! Gaggh!! S-, sir! Hold on!! You, call somebody from the law enforcement! The law enforcement!! Artemion cried out in anger. Search for him!! Find him right now!! Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Muffled voices. A raucous procession. They were all travellers going into and out of Tristar. Whats all this about? I think theres an apostate here somewhere. Those are the Heretic Inquisitors from the Valtherus Church. A pattern of crossed red double swords. It was the symbol of the Heretic Inquisitors. Theyre doing interrogations at the checkpoint to find the apostate? Hey, these crazy bastards. If we dont hurry and cross the mountains quickly, well fall behind and have to camp out in the open, but these bastards are really being meticulous!! I mean, shouldnt the Heretic Inquisitors be able to root out the apostates just by looking at their divine power? No wonder we keep getting beaten up by the Empire. You there, keep it quiet! When the soldiers shouted this, the voices quickly reduced to whispers. Master, are you alright? Im fine, shut up, Bruns. Yeah. The Inquisitor asked, pointing to the man in the hood. Wait, you there. ID? Here. The Inquisitor checked the ID, turning it front and back. Take that hood off for a moment. Why are you asking him to take his hood off? Master doesnt like to show his face! One of the traits of the apostate is his eyes. He has gray eyes, which are rare, so take the hood off. No, but this gentleman! Calm down, Bruns. Its fine to take it off. Saaaa. As the hood was pulled back, a handsome man with clear features and black eyes appeared. Hmm you have good eyes. The black eyes sparkled exceptionally. Its hereditary. Hmm, pass! Callius put his hood back on and passed the Inquisitor. After a while C Callius stopped in the woods heading North through the wide plains of Tristar, and reached out to Bruns. Here you go. Hmm. When Bruns handed him a small container, he opened it, and touched his eyeballs with his hand to pluck somethings out, which were put into the container. Are you alright? My eyes feel stiff. It doesnt look like you can wear these for a long time. There were two lenses in the box. It was a pair of black lenses made of glass, made by special order to Dexter. You cant do this twice. In the Middle Ages, it was said that the lenses used to be made of glass, so I had these made. But it was more painful than Id thought. In this era, the concept of advanced components such as silicone was not well-known, so only glass lenses were available. At least this was possible Callius physical abilities were superior to ordinary people. If an average criminal had used such a thing, the cornea would have been injured in no time. Lets go. We have a busy road ahead. Yeah! That was then C It really was you. A voice cold as frost. A strange presence attacked Callius. He immediately drew Arsando. Chaeeng!! Keuk. Kkikig! Kkikikigig!! Sparks flew as one sword struck another. The bushes shook, and the periwinkle hair of his enemy fluttered in his front. Even if you deceived that extremist Inquisitor, you cannot deceive my eyes that know your face. The Cloak of Twilight. That was you, too. Esther Sol Ciliad. The next Paladin. A genius among geniuses who was referred to as the next Saint. A woman who could not but be praised for her swordsmanship, divine power, beauty and grace. Esther. Her water-coloured hair shined softly in the light as if she was an apostle sent down by the God Valtherus Himself. Her eyes were blue, dark as if they contained all the depths of an ocean. Your voice. Your face. And your gaze too. Ive never forgotten. Its such an honour for the next Saint to say that. At first glance, her words sounded like a hymn of love, but that wasnt the atmosphere at all. I dont know why shes glaring like Im her ancestral enemy. Does she have a grudge against Callius, one that I dont know about? I dont know. Thats one part that I dont know. This is a part that hasnt been set at all. So, its even more confusing. Three years ago, I told you. Pilgrim Callius. What do you mean? Did you forget? Then Ill tell you again. Esthers sword pointed down. She fixed her posture. She lowered the sword she was holding with both hands at an angle. I made it clear at the time. If I come across you as a Pilgrim, on my pilgrimage. C I will definitely kill you. I, Pilgrim Esther. I challenge Pilgrim Callius to a sword duel. The duel wont end until someone died and turned into the opponents sword. Pilgrim Callius. Please, dont die easily. Ive been looking forward to this moment for so long! Shhik! Esther disappeared with the sound of a sharp wind. Fast. Saaak! Her sword flew through the spot where Calliuss neck was a moment before. Fast. And gorgeous. Her sword was like that. It was quick and accurate. At first, she approached so quickly that he didnt even notice she was approaching, and in an instant she drew her sword and cut. Suu. She cut two or three times in the fleeting moment it would take somebody else to swing once. Quick sword. It was a quick sword that was hard to follow or chase after. Chaeeng! Chwaak! Kugugung! Quang! Bruns ran into the woods and couldnt figure out what was going on. He hid among the bushes and peered through the trees to see the fierce battle between Callius and Esther. Sparks fluttered between the sword strikes that were too fast to be seen, and trees were cut down and collapsed in instants. Gulp. This was a true fight between Pilgrims. Its not the time to be thrilled. Ah, but theres no way for me to help Master. All he could do was watch from afar. Chaeeng!! The power is getting worse again. It wasnt just speed. Her power was equally strong. The quality of divine power was also high. Perhaps it was because he had observed the divine power contained in the sacred stone, so her level could be captured at a glance. Her divine power was level 3. No, it would soon become level 2. The purity of the divine power was exceptional. Its only been three years and youve reached this level. Thats great. You were a person who knew how to grow, too. I didnt expect you to receive my sword this far. Because time is fair to everyone. He was doing his best, but his right hand holding the sword still trembled. If it wasnt for the glove I got from Dexter, my hands would have exploded already. Because her sword was fast and heavy. Nimble movements. And the calmness of divine power that suited her. All in all, her heightened physical abilities and unique quick sword gave the illusion that many swords were flying in from all directions. As if C It felt like being in the middle of a torrential rain. You try to avoid it, but you cant. The more you try to catch it at one place, the faster it comes to stab from another place. Hou C Dozens of shallow sword cuts had appeared on his arms and legs during that brief exchange. Is this because of the Cloak? Of course. Of course, its something Ive been looking for, but Im not doing something like this just because of that. Then why? Dont you remember? I dont. I forgot everything in my past. She lowered her sword and slowly closed her eyelids. His long eyelashes were trembling, but she looked quite pissed off. You are a genius at making people angry. What did I do to you? What you did. What you did!! No one else knows, and even you dont remember, so its like you never did anything at all, right!! She spat out in fervid anger without any concrete answer. Esther was definitely not supposed to be like that. She never got very angry, nor sad. She was cold and rigid. A woman who was merciless to demons and beasts, but kind to children. That was Esther Sol Ciliad. Hmm. I honestly dont know. I know Callius this bastard probably didnt sit still in the Church, but I dont know if he did anything to Esther. Could he really have done something? To Esther. Just when I was about to start thinking. Esthers mouth opened. You approached me at first, but after that you found out that I wasnt from a noble family and treated me badly. Uh And for some reason you began to despise me and even torment the commoner-born monks around me. Uh is that so. Not only that!! You asked me to practice swordsmanship with you, and after you were defeated, you did all sorts of absurd things! They were frivolous things like putting in nails in Esthers wooden swords handle, and putting needles in her shoes. Forming a group with aristocrats, he harassed the commoners and punished anyone who spoke to Esther. Thats what he did. Ive been apologizing to you all along. I did it even though I didnt do anything wrong. But you bothered me even more. Um I see I will kill you. Your very existence is evil. You are no different from monsters. Is that so I have nothing to say. I mean, those things were definitely not things I did, but now that it has come to this, what can I say? Even if I had ten mouths, there was nothing to say. Callius, is this guy crazy? I dont know about the others, but even Esther But I think I knew why. As soon as he saw Esther, the heart of Callius must have fluttered like a fish jumping out of the water. He, probably C You must have liked Esther. There are few who didnt like her. Because she was beautiful and strong. Strong enough to be referred to as the next Paladin, and kind enough to be referred to as the next Saint. She was like a sharpened sword right now, but as time passes and she bridges the gap between life and death many times, she gradually acquires the character of a Saint. So Callius must have liked Esther too. He was also human. If he hadnt been interested, he wouldnt have bothered her that much. He had a crush on her, fell in love with her, but it seemed that her not being from a noble family was somehow unacceptable. So it must have been. In the first place, he had the trait of the Prodigal Son of the Church. There wasnt a woman he hadnt touched. Silly Callius. But now thats me. Why did you do that? She changed the foot she was stepping on. Quickly, her sword pierced through. I raised Arsando. Her sword committed C But at that moment, the trajectory twisted. Kkigigigig! Her sword slid up the flat of Arsandos blade. Seuk. As I tilted my head back, a clear deep line was drawn on the nape of my neck. Julug. Drops of blood formed along that line. An in the moment they started flowing C Poeok! Keuk! Her kick pierced my stomach like a crossbow through my neglected guard. Kuung! Shheich! A stab came in once again. It was aiming for my head. Damn it! Your eyes are better than before. You dodge my sword quite well. I bowed my head to avoid the sword. Esthers sword pierced the tree behind me. Is this also the power of the holy relic? Did you come to find the relic too? My job is to find the relic. And killing me? Thats private. What the. Laughter flowed out. It was a situation where I had no choice but to be nervous, but even though death was close at hand, strangely I laughed. Whats funny? Its just funny. Its funny that youre standing now front of me, and I cant believe that you came to kill me. Its no joke. Yeah, I guess. Hou C Callius sighed heavily and looked into Esthers eyes. There are no relics. If I had such a thing, I wouldnt have needed to groan like this. Is that so. Yeah. The miracle of the holy relic that the Church could not find in the first place is not something like this. I thought so. Do you believe me? At least as far as I know, you were proud of yourself as a nobleman. A nobleman who did not lie, although he did utter rude remarks. Thank you for believing in me like that. Its a pity that there are no holy relics. Youre still going to kill me. Yes, because thats what I decided to do. So, kill me. Simple and clear. Well, according to her, she had been bullied since she became a nun, so how long had it been? Thats good enough of a reason. Callius must have had been arrogant in front of her, flaunting his status as an aristocrat, since he couldnt compete with her in swordsmanship. Id want to kill me too. But I cant die. I cant die so easily. It would have been an honour to die at your hand. Is that so. But I cant die yet. Its not up to you to decide. Her drawn sword was directed at my neck. Its up to me to decide. Soon, her sword swung. Before my neck fell C I untied the bracelet. Click. Then with the divine power that was bound in it C [Talent, is activated.] Four Verse Composition. A unique characteristic of Callius. It was triggered by Esthers sword, only possible when he truly realized that death was here for him. Divine power overflowing like a broken dam. And the characteristic enlightenment. Everything harmonized. The amount of divine power in the Elixir Field increased. But it was actually not as big as it used to be. Bit by bit, one by one, it was compressed. Slowly and densely, it was refined. Now it sat firmly and took shape. Silver buds stacked in layers. Seuk. Callius gray eyes gleamed with silver. [Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season] Grade C Unique. Achievement C First Layer. Six buds blooming in late season. The divine power of Esthers sword. The streams of divine power that were nestled within her sword were clearly visible. Bloom. Kaaaang!! There was a sharp and keening sound of iron. Esthers sword bounced off. Her eyes were shaking. Her swordsmanship was broken. Light burst from the explosion fell around them like petals. A swordsmanship that breaks the opponents swordsmanship using their own divine power against them. Its name was given because it was as beautiful as silver petals. Silver Flower Wave Sword[1] Editors Notes: [1] ???? (yƄ) is being translated as Silver Flower Wave Sword. Chapter 17 Chaeeeeng!! A sharp keening as if iron was being torn apart struck the eardrums. Both their hands were deflected high towards the sky. However, there was only one hand still holding a sword. Whirrik. A single sword tumbled through the air. And soon fell to the ground. Puk. Silver petals danced between them like shards of broken glass. How can you Esthers eyes were bewildered and astonished. And filled with an overwhelming excitement. Several emotions were mixed in those eyes. There was no sword in her hand. Only one blow. It felt like a swift thunderbolt, yet that sword was beautiful to see. Once upon a time C With one sword, Saint Stella had built the Church of today. A feat that no one else has equalled since. Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season C Silver Flower Wave Sword. Esther was speechless for a while. And it was the same with Callius. What did I just do? In an instant, he achieved enlightenment. It was thanks to his unique characteristic that he could unlock only just before he died. Of course, I knew. I intended it. I loosened Vivis Bracelet just in time, tasted the explosive divine power, and awakened to enlightenment. But that enlightenment was fleeting. A fleeting, split second. However, the wonder of it made me ponder a lot. The ground that split long behind Esther. The woods and the trees, cut down. It was as if a giants sword had cleaved through the earth. Its your defeat. Esther. I dont know the detailed process. My head is still hazy. Its like dreaming. But its not a dream. Esther in front of me lost her sword, and I am the one still holding mine. If so, it is better to clarify the facts. What happened to my arm? . It looks like a damn harpoon. In this state, there is no strength left to move even one fingertip. Obviously, Vivis Bracelet has just been loosened, but there is still not much divine power left. It was because I had consumed most of it with just one blow. Perhaps because of crossing my limits, fatigue quickly sets in. There is a feeling of lethargy that will make you faint even if you release the slightest tension. Nevertheless. Thats why. Callius had to speak. You, how can you use that sword Esther Sol Ciliad. The loser has no right to question. She bit her lip. And I slowly closed my eyes. Go. ? All I can do now is simply bluff and show a fa?ade of bravado. Thats it. As you said, I was defeated. Are you not taking my life? You must not kill the woman who will later become the most powerful sword of the Order. Because her existence, even if only a little bit, can help withstand the Empire. You must live. What is that supposed to mean? She has a grimacing face, as if Im talking nonsense. But she has to live. When the main quest begins, the Kingdom will tremble and shake. Esther is the one who can soothe it. She is somebody who will rise to the rank of the Masters later. Without her, my survival is also merely a candle in a storm. So, she has to live. Esther, stay by Sullivians side. Her death is imminent. You! Esther was startled. Sullivian is a Cardinal of the Order of Valtherus, a famous alchemist, and at the same time, a prophet. She is the one who took care of Esther, and is destined to become her sword. After her death C Esther follows her wishes and turns Sullivan into a sword, a Vision Sword that brings miracles to allies and disasters to enemies. You will have a Vision Sword, Sullivian. You are a woman who cannot afford to waste any more time here. Go. I cant even stand any longer. I felt regretful inside, but it was right that I had to let her go. The dignity of an aristocrat was holding tightly to the spirit that was about to disperse. Esther pursed her lips as if she wanted to say something more, then clenched her fists and turned her back. Arent you taking your sword? Due to her personality, since she did not lose her life in the sword duel even though she was defeated, she must have decided to leave her sword behind. After a while. Only after feeling her presence vanish in the distance, Callius drooped down. I almost died. I was really about to die. I couldnt believe that Esther almost killed me. It was absurd and I just laughed. It hurts so bad Kullek! Blood spilled out. Looked like there was an internal wound. Well, my whole body was full of wounds. It was a miracle that I was alive. It looked like the intestines burst after being hit by dozens of sword slashes and then that great spinning kick. But nevertheless C I survived. Keuk. Ha ha ha! Callius rubbed his forehead and chuckled like crazy. Blood gushed out of his mouth every time he smiled, but he couldnt stop himself. He survived Esther Sol Ciliad, who was considered to be the next Paladin. Six Peak Flowers Technique completed a single layer, and made one swing of the Silver Flower Wave Sword. Broke Esthers sword, and showed off a blooming silver flower. A trash swordsman survived Esther, a genius among geniuses. I was very happy with this fact. Ha. The efforts of the past three years have not been in vain. It wasnt for nothing. The strange sense of satisfaction welling up from that fact C And the overwhelming relief, combined to make Callius eyelids heavy. Did I bleed too much? The Twilight Cloak was made to keep off the cold, but it still felt strangely cold. I dont think it should be delayed any longer. Callius immediately took out a bottle of Holy Water that had been stored in the stigma. He inhaled most of it in one breath and scattered the rest all over his body. After a while, a loud scream resounded in the forest. Then it became quiet like a mouse. A few days later. Carpe Royal Palace, outer castle. A middle-aged woman lay in a beautifully decorated bedroom. Esther walked over to her and squeezed her hand. There were a lot of strange things in the room that didnt suit the Kingdom of Carpe. Artifacts, and alchemic items. She was a woman descended from Bright, a distant cousin of the House of Carpe. A royal cousin, and honorary Cardinal of the Order of Valtherus. A sage and prophet. Sullivian von Olide Bright. Oh, he had Saint Stellas swordsmanship it must have been beautiful. She was Esther Sol Ciliads guardian and only protector. Yes. It was beautiful. The prophet might not be me, but him. The one called Callius. Yes. He foresaw my death. Yes. He told me to stay. My death, I did not foresee. But he did. Sullivian was still calm discussing the prediction of her own death. Her condition was a top secret among top secrets. Only Esther and a few members of the royal family knew. It was not something that Callius could know. Esther. Yes. Get close to him. Why? He said he couldnt kill you? An opponent who did not kill her. One who learned the swordsmanship of a Saint. It was a good idea for him and Esther to become close. But something like that Dont turn your face and avoid the issue. Esther tilted her head in confusion. Do you think he had me in his heart? It seems that way to me. Nonsense. Everything he did was horrendous. All my hatred that he caused C I thought it was because he hated me, because I was a poor commoner. But was it all just a joke to get my attention? That mans family likes to play pranks even when theyre old. But when they have to speak, they speak more reliably than anyone else in the world. Maybe. Or maybe not. He might have put in all that effort to become a person that suits you. However, He might be apologizing. You dont have a single wound on your body. No matter how much he mastered Stellas sword, it wouldnt have been easy to subdue someone as powerful as you without leaving any scars. Esther had nothing to say. How did he look? Terrible he looked terrible. And you? There was nothing wrong, except a small tear on the hand. Seeing that, yes C While using the Silver Flower Wave Sword, he silently avoided damaging his opponent. I wish I had that kind of ability. But I dont. At the very end, just before the sword touched her neck, he stopped the silver petals. Thats the way men are. A na?ve idiot who seems hell never become a grown-up, when something heavy is on his shoulder, can change so much. Whats on his shoulder? Well. I dont know. Then C Youll have to figure that out first. I know you because Ive been with you for so long. Youre the one who always liked the tales of the Saint Youll want to compete with him once again. However C Now do what he says. Since my remaining life is short. Because I have too little time left to lose you to him.[1] Tick, tick. A black shadow could be seen before the bonfire and the sparking firewood. The shadow was a human, burning something. It was Bruns who had soot on his face and was eating something alone. Bruns, the servant of Callius. Are you eating alone? Ah! Master! Are you awake!? Surprised, Bruns threw away the meat skewers he was eating and ran to Callius. Im going to die of a lack of energy. There were no wounds on the body. His divine power had returned quite a bit, and it seemed that his wounds were healed with Holy Water. Seeing that there was no scar, the effect was clear. Although, because it was incomplete Holy Water, he fainted from the rising pain during the healing process. Did this guy survive that kind of pain? He didnt go crazy. Lets have a drink first. Hululug. Callius took a sip and immediately spat it out! You bastard, what did you put in? Spicy, salty and bitter. What could have been added to make it taste like this? No, how is it possible to have such a colourful and dirty taste? Im still not feeling well, but my fever is soaring. Should I boil it again? Fine. Give me the meat. After all, there was nothing that could not be digested by the characteristic of Gluttony. Callius did not stop and pat his stomach until he finished off dozens of the meat skewers Bruns had grilled. You ate them all What did you say? Oh, nothing! Are you feeling better? I was really surprised. At first I thought you were dead Um, did you? Well, he must have been lying on the floor covered in blood, so thats expected. Callius, somewhat full, leaned his back against the wall and looked around. It was a deep cave inside the forest. Bruns said he had been here looking after him for over a week. Thanks to this, all the meat they brought from Tristar ran out, and he said that he would have to find food and drinking water. Why did you eat all my meat? Yes, yes!? That, thats right, I have to eat to take care of Master Bruns complained with resentment. Go hunt as much as youve eaten. Youre too much I mean, I think Ill have to stay here for a day or two more. Are you still unwell? The fatigue was great. Esther had left, but the Steel Justice Heresy Inquisitor must still be pursuing him. If I ran into him with a body like this, I didnt think I would be able to run properly. You talk a lot. Do you want to die? I, Ill go! Callius clicked his tongue as he saw Bruns run back and forth. Id brought so much food, but ten days worth of food had already run out. How much are you eating? Ttt. Callius wet his lips with his tongue and then closed his eyes, quietly contemplating his body. A small bud in the lower abdomen. Its existence was felt more clearly than before. Callius von Jervain Occupation C Pilgrim. Spirit C Level 4 Divine Power C 2571/4251. Talent C [Bards Blessing C Best] Characteristics C [Verse of Grace] [Nobilitys Duty] [Scapegrace Count] [Four Verse Composition] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony] [Tricolour Eye] [Ability] Strength C 22 -> 26+(10) Agility C 15+(10) Finesse C 8 -> 12 Health C 15 -> 17+(10) Faith C 21 -> 23 Perhaps because he learned the Six Peak Flowers Technique, his overall ability and divine power increased significantly. All stats excluding agility +2. And the amount of divine power had increased by about a thousand. It was possibly the remaining influence of the manipulations of divine power or related to the enlightenment while completing the first layer of the Six Peak Flowers Technique. Have I finally started walking on the road now? Three years. Only now, I was able to walk properly on my journey. Now is the start. Now, I am finally standing on the same starting line as them. I was happy enough to cry, but I purposely calmed my heart even more. Hooo C There is a long way to go. Its still too early. There is only one bud of divine power perched on the Elixir Field. You have to make six and burn them all to offerings before you can call it the complete Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season. There are too many strong people in this world to be happy with just one. A lot of it depended on luck. In the duel with Esther, he relied mostly on luck. He believed in his unique characteristic, but it was too close. If he had done it wrong, he might have died before the trait even activated. Callius grabbed one of the two swords on the side of the cave. I cant use Arsando anymore. Arsando. If it was whole, it could be used, but a lot of the edge had degraded. If there was only one, I would have just used it, but now I dont have to. Because there was Esthers sword. [Lucen] Grade C Life Sword Infused Soul C Lucen du Vallus. It is a sword that fell only a slight distance short of the ranks of Spirit Swords. It is a famous sword, within the top five, among those kept in the Church for a long time. There are few blemishes. Since it is a sword that is close to a Spirit Sword, it is a sword with a good sense of weight and balance. Because I had missed striking the sword, there were hardly any traces of being damaged by the Silver Flower Wave Sword. Is there no Verse of Grace? There was no hidden verse. It seemed that corpse grace would not appear unless it was a Carcass he made himself. He shook his head and grabbed Arsando again. Now its the time to let this guy go. Callius drew Arsandos Carcass. The light of divine power shone brilliantly around the sword. Like a Saint praying to God, his appearance was like that of a devout believer. [You led the soul to the side of God.] [The reward for offering the Life Sword is given.] [Skill + 1] Editors Notes: [1] Shall we talk about our Saintess candidate, who is the epitome of peak socially stunted genius archetype and actually accepting that all that bullying might have actually been love? About the prophetess who is shamelessly pushing a relationship and open about the political gain involved? Or even the before-Callius, who apparently never got out of the kindergarten phase of pulling the pigtails of the girl you like? Who even wrote these characters? Right, thats our protagonist. He deserves whatever happens there to be honest. Thankfully this story isnt a (romantic) relationship drama. Chapter 18 Chapter 18 Written by inkthief Life Sword Lucen. It was narrower than Arsando. But it was longer. It had the shape of a general longsword, but with a good sense of weight and balance. The blade was double-edged so the sword could be used with one or both hands. Callius settled Lucen in his hands and calmly closed his eyes. I felt the wind. The sound of the bushes rustling. But soon the senses of touch and hearing were suppressed. Only the sword. And me. That was all there was left in the world. The Elixir Field prickled. The first layer of Six Peak Flowers slowly bloomed. The inherent divine power flowed through the whole body and strengthened it. Then, soon after, it approached Lucen through his fingertips and wrapped around it. The divine power gathered like a chain, entangled and twisted. The densely gathered energy aggregated into one shape and formed on the blade surface. Flash. I opened my eyes and swung Lucien horizontally. A simple slash. Seuk. However, that cut was far from simple. Kugung! Kugugugung! A tree that must have had been several centuries old was neatly cut down. Its circumference was too wide to be embraced by three strong men with their arms wide open, but in front of Callius, it was cut off as easily as a bale of straw. Not bad. This time I managed to properly ferment the technique of Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season C Silver Flower Wave Sword. As Six Peak Flowers technique took root in the Elixir Field, my overall physical ability was also getting better. It felt like my body was transforming to something new. Of course, the divine power is insufficient. There was only one simple bud in my Elixir Field C indicating the first layer of Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season. The bud is usually responsible for storing divine power and filtering out impurities. But when needed C The bud unfolds and blooms, exuding a stronger form of divine power. Unfolding into the Silver Flower Wave Sword. Its still not enough. Its not even unfolding properly. The quality, as well as the quantity, is lacking. Obviously, the total amount of divine power has increased by about a thousand compared to the original, but it is still not enough. Perhaps its a matter of purity, which is only at the 4th grade. Its sad, but it cant be helped. The quality of spiritual power is a problem that cannot be dealt with right now. At least I got one attribute point. Although my technique still lacks the original power of Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season, I have gained a bit more of the swordsmanship skill, which helps the skill usage. It didnt change anything special that much, but everything to do with a sword feels strangely easier. You use less of the muscles that you dont need and more of the muscles you should use. It may not seem like much, but it allows the sword to advance more quickly along the path it needs to take. Unneeded cruft in your technique disappears. Swordsmanship is about seizing the victory in a life-or-death battle using that kind of a subtle difference. Slowly, my body got better. Callius, after putting the famous sword Lucen into a simple sheath, put on the Cloak of Twilight that he had shrugged off earlier, and turned his head. Is Bruns over there? It was quite far away, but after learning Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season, all my senses sharpened. I had to walk about a hundred meters. Bruns was there. What are you doing? Master! Im catching fish! Bruns, who had found his way to the centre of a fairly large river valley, boasted that he was confident in catching fish, so just wait a while. Bruns did not move, as cautious as a bear trying to catch salmons. Hmm, this guy is pretty sturdy. But hes pretty useless. Bruns, who had shouted that he would catch a fish soon, couldnt catch any fish in the end, and blamed the valley water for it. It seems that there are no fish because the quality of the water is different from my hometown. Youre useless. Eventually, Callius blew the flute. The hares pricked up their ears at his sweet performance and approached him. He played a little more without moving, and this time even a deer approached, full of curiosity. It was then that Callius drew his sword. Chwank! Padadadak! The other beasts escaped, but the deer couldnt. The deer, decapitated in one swing, died, and Bruns rejoiced and began to skin and trim the meat. Its Master after all! Haha! The head of a deer plops down once you draw a sword! Bruns. Yes! Master! Shut up and grill. Yep! I hate to admit it, but Im getting used to living with him. Its true that hes useless, but its comfortable because theres nothing problematic in dealing with Bruns. No matter what you spit out, he responds vigorously and tries to be helpful. Hes really weird. Bruns. Yes, I am here. Bruns handed the well-roasted deer hind legs to Callius. Some of them were a little too charred. At least he got the best ones. Herbs, salt, and pepper were also sprinkled to remove the bitterness. All seasonings were brought from Tristar. The seasonings were finished to taste. Callius ate the deers hind legs with a fork and knife even though he was camping. The meat was somehow edible. He finished his meal after eating the whole deer, probably because the Gluttony trait was activated. Bruns. Yes? Would you like more? Bruns sobbed as he held what he was eating. No, I have a question for you. Oh, yeah. Just ask. Why are you following me? I just wanted to ask you once. Of course from that day onwards, my life is no longer mine. From that day? Not knowing what to say, Callius kept his mouth shut for a long time. Have you already forgotten? You made all my brothers into swords and sold them, went to the casino and slaughtered the Lutens Knights. Yes, that day. But why? When I saw your gambling skills at that time, I, Bruns, fell in love with it. A battle between true men, to make a bet with yourself as the stake. And win. Ruthlessness to cut down the enemies who could not accept the outcome with a single sword. And at the base of it all, the ability to turn a crisis into an opportunity! I fell in love with Masters manliness, so I wanted to offer my allegiance! Right. Do you see? My heart? Its your heart, whats there for me to see? When youve finished eating, get up. Weve got a busy road ahead. Oh, yes. Bruns, who got up scratching the back of his head in embarrassment, overturned the soil as if he was familiar with the process and erased all traces of their camp. And then, at the moment when he was about to erase the final trace by kicking the leftover bones of the deer C Woah ah ah ah ah!! Suddenly, Bruns left a flurried shout and disappeared. Literally, disappeared. Callius wondered if there was a mystery here that he was not aware of, but upon closer inspection, he realized that Bruns had simply fallen into a strange pit. It was deep enough that even the bottom was out of sight. Since he couldnt even see Bruns figure from above, it really looked quite deep. Bruns. I wont forget you. If it was that deep, hed be dead. He was not a Pilgrim, so it would have been difficult to survive. Im sorry, but I cant help it. Ill live for your share too. Just as I was about to turn around and leave alone with my bag. A sound came from inside the pit. [Master~!] What, were you alive? [Were you just leaving me here!] Of course not. He was quick on the uptake. Can you come up? [That would be a bit difficult! But theres a door down here, so it looks like theres a passage to somewhere!] Door? Passage? So, looks like its not a naturally created pit. Hmm if its a door to a basement that deep underground There is one thing that comes to mind. Callius immediately raised his divine power to protect himself and descended into the pit. Huuung!! Kuung!! He was prepared for a shock because it was a long fall, but in the end, there was no need for that. Hed forgotten that Fall Mitigation was one of the abilities of the Twilight Cloak. Master! You really came this far for me!! Shut up and get out of the way. Callius pushed the approaching Bruns and looked at the door on the wall. It wasnt just a simple door. It was an iron gate with an engraved geometric pattern. Callius knew where these gates would usually be located. A Spirit Crafters underground laboratory. Spirit Crafters were those who researched alchemy. They either did not have much interest in swordsmanship or have no talent in it, so they studied relics as well as artifacts that are imitations of relics. What is this? Its the trace of a Spirit Crafter. Perhaps, this door has been engraved with an alchemical technique. Bruns made a face that he didnt quite understand. Its kind of like a lock made from divine power. You can think of it as a seal, hmm, its easier to think of it as a barrier. Ah. Callius stretched out his hand as he looked at the iron gate and its alchemic engraving. Also C It was a door with an active alchemic seal. It wont open with just force. An intangible energy was firmly blocking him as if it was protecting that iron gate. To open this kind of door, it was usually one of two ways. Either you open it from the inside, or you smash it from the outside. Callius chose the latter. Is it okay to break this? This was a guy who worked underground in secret like this. If the research was something reasonable, he wouldnt have done this. Spirit Crafters are precious. They create artifacts that are close to sacred objects, and through various research, sometimes create body-protecting and area-protecting objects. Even in the Carpe Royal Castle alone, there were many barriers and traps made with the artifacts of the Spirit Crafters. From the point of view of the Churches and nations C Spirit Crafters are precious. They are beings that need to be protected. However, not all Spirit Crafters create only such beneficial things. Where is the place of good or evil in the path of science? Those who seek knowledge naturally tend to forget the existence of such petty things. Those who have things to study out of the human eye are usually bad guys. Seuk! As if the flash had taken no time at all, Callius sword returned to its sheath. Kkiig, kuung! The iron gate was cut into two. The sword, which had been momentarily clad in silver, easily broke the alchemic barrier. Done. Yeah! But Callius did not take the lead. He glanced at Bruns and blinked. It was a gesture to step ahead. Bruns wept. There are still five bottles of Holy Water. Youre too much. As if he had been betrayed by the world, Bruns began to lead the way. Bruns initially went ahead while twitching nervously, but soon he began to walk more and more normally. There doesnt seem to be anything here? Right. It was just a long, long passage. Callius raised his hand and radiated divine power to create a bright light. Looks like the passage split here? Right. There was a fork in the passage. After thinking for a moment, he turned to the right. Where did I feel this energy? On the right side of the fork, he could feel a strange sense of dj vu. That was then C There was a body fallen in the passage. Oh, Master! I see it. A dead body, leaning against the walls. Are you the Spirit Crafter? Death wasnt too long ago. The corpse was in good condition, and there was no smell of rot. Whats the cause of death? No sign of trauma. Maybe it was an illness. Callius guessed. Too young for a natural death, and a clean body that didnt look poisoned. He wondered if it was some kind of chronic illness or just a sudden death. Lets find out. A faint light shone from the body. He seemed to have a lot of regrets. Callius immediately turned the cadaver into a Carcass. Well Memories flew into his mind. Memories of this underground research. Regrets for successes not achieved. Callius saw the two-handed sword in his hand. [Rogeris] Grade C Carcass Sword. Infused Soul C Rogeris Juan. Rogeris bitter sword. He wanted to complete his research. Rogeris It wasnt fully clear. But he could guess the broad strokes based on what he knew. Callius walked straight through the passage without hesitation. He soon found the piles of papers, and buried in them, a research journal. Rogeris research journal. [Why does God perform miracles only for the humans and the humanoid subspecies? Why are His miracles only for the corpses of humans and humanoids?] [ Omitted ] [Why cant I make a Carcass from the corpse of a beast? Why not monsters? I questioned this, and studied the knowledge declared taboo.] Taboo. Ill-advised areas of study. Research explicitly prohibited by the Church. Gods miracles are only for humans. So what about the humanoid races? Are all the humanoid subspecies, human too? For the Gods, humans and humanoid subspecies seem to be distinguished as sapient life born from a single branch. Gods probably treat the humanoid subspecies the same as humans. They can also perform the miracle of the Carcass. What about a beast stronger than a human? Wouldnt a more powerful sword appear if a stronger monster was made into a Carcass? There were many Pilgrims who thought so. But Gods miracles are directed only towards humans. Human. So, what are the standards for defining a human? Rogeris research started from that. The upper body of a human and the lower body of a monster. The arm of a monster in a human body. It was an ugly research journal mixed with intellectual curiosity and the desire to make a stronger sword. Biological experiments prohibited by the Church. The journal logged the progress of such experiments. And did you finally find the answer? A composite of human and monster. A Chimera (??).[1] It seemed that the research was carried out with that goal in mind. It started with mating, artificial insemination, ovulation, etc. There were a lot of messy research processes. However, he eventually made several Chimera through trial and error, then killed them and turned them into swords. Rogeris. The completion of his desired research. His magnum opus. Killing [Loas], the most complete test body, and turning it into a sword. That was his wish. Master? Callius immediately turned and left the lab. He walked back to the mouth of the fork and took the left passage. Seuk. When he turned his head, the side of the passage was full of glass tubes large enough to hold a person. There were some holding what looked like monsters, and some holding what looked like humans. However, the place Callius eyes turned to was the very end of the biological laboratory. There, something that was neither human nor monster was wriggling inside the glass. A human-monster composite. A Chimera. Was this really a human, or a monster? What would God define this as? Although he knew the truth, Callius raised his sword. [1] ?? (ma-in, lit. magic person) is being translated as Chimera. Chapter 19 The biological experiments of Rogeris Juan. As soon as I saw the name of the unknown Spirit Crafter I had turned into a Carcass, memories of the past came like a deluge. An easter egg in the game. Secret dungeon. Hidden piece[1]. A secret item. Master, are you alright? Fine. Callius actually wasnt in very good condition. He wasnt hurt anywhere, but he was exhausted mentally and physically from a pretty intense battle. The Chimera within the glass tube, Loas. Rogeriss test subject that broke the tube and ran wild the moment Callius raised the sword. It was not afraid of Callius sword, and even when its limbs were severed, it devoured the monsters sleeping in the other tubes and regenerated. There wasnt any time to ponder more deeply whether it was really a human, or a monster. Callius used the Silver Flower Wave Sword, and chopped it into two pieces. [Rogeris Test Subject C Complete] [Strength + 2] Rogeris Carcass turned into light and disappeared, leaving Callius two swords. One, Lucen, the Life Sword left behind by Esther. Another [Predator Sword C Loas] Grade C Life Sword. Inhabited Soul C A mixed soul. Unique Ability C Predation. Predation count C 0. Predator Sword C Loas. A sword with a vicious, serrated blade, like the teeth of an animal. The blade looked as if it had been deliberately broken, and pulsed with a greed for flesh and blood. The Predator Sword wore the form of a single-edged sword, and had unique abilities despite being only a Life Sword. It had a unique ability, that only Spirit Swords or swords of even higher rank were supposed to have. Predation. The name of the unique ability literally described the quality of one who preyed on flesh and blood. Although it was only a Life Sword by its rank, if the predation count exceeded a hundred, the sword could grow further C and the same if it went over a thousand. A sword that could become a Spirit Sword or even a Vision Sword. That was the Predator Sword, Loas. A so-called growth type sword. But why does it have a scabbard? As far as I know, a Carcass never has a scabbard. Originally, thats how it was supposed to be. A Carcass has no scabbard. Even Lucen was held in a temporary scabbard. This is because a Carcass Sword is meant to finally return to the bosom of God, so a scabbard is meaningless. However, for the Predator Sword that was made from a cadaver of something neither a human nor a monster, a scabbard came included. The soul of a mixed existence was a setting that God rejected. That is the reason behind the scabbard. Predator Sword Loas. A sword with no resting place to return to. So, wrapped within a scabbard, it appeared in front of his eyes. Tch. Callius clicked his tongue. If something was going to come out, a different sword would have been better. The Predator Sword is literally a growth type. It is a sword that has the advantage of being able to grow to a higher grade, but in the second half of the game, it will only become a hindrance. Because even if the grade goes up, the unique ability does not change. Although the strength of the unique ability also grows stronger, compared to other Spirit Swords and Vision Swords, its quite ordinary. Devouring prey. And growing stronger. Just this. Compared to the top-notch swords that can breathe fire and cause natural disasters, the ability is rather shabby. Cheok. With the Predator Sword back in its sheath, Callius swept up his flowing hair into a lock and looked at Bruns. Did you find the exit? Yeah! Its over here! He nodded and walked straight to the exit. Of course, for now its still somewhat helpful. Only, it was a bit sad. There are many dungeons hidden in Carpe. There are even many people, not just Rogeris, who conduct experiments forbidden by the Church, including biological experiments. Among the dogs of the Empire, there are a lot of Spirit Crafters who do such baroque experiments. If you find and defeat such hidden dungeons, you can get better swords. But the problem is C Theyre hard to find. The dungeons were not conceived by him, so Callius himself had no knowledge of their locations. The idea of the Alchemists Dungeons came from somebody else. It was a part that the game director randomly put in during a meeting and he was not involved, so he only heard about it later from a company colleague. If it wasnt for Bruns, even Rogeris laboratory would have been overlooked this time. Were you looking for it or something? No? So, finding it was really fortunate. But thats why it was even more disappointing. Predator Sword. For Callius, who didnt even have a Spirit Sword, it was of course better to have the Predator Sword than not, but the human heart is fickle and grasping. It was a bit disappointing to think that he lost an opportunity to get other, better swords. But I cant help it. Until you find your own, true sword as a Pilgrim C The more swords, the better. Although high-grade swords do not, but swords below Spirit grade break often. If you think about it that way, the Predator Sword is good. Even if it gets broken, it will regenerate if you feed it with blood. Now that this has happened, as a Pilgrim, lets do some good deeds. Yes? Bruns, who did not understand the reason or circumstance, tilted his head in confusion, but kept his mouth shut when he saw Callius face break into an eerie smile. A month later, near the North. The snowy mountains. An impressive colony consisting of wooden fences and log cabins was nestled in the middle of the mountains. It was a haven for infamous bandits. It was cold and covered in snow, so cold that breath steamed in the air, and easy to get lost in the white frozen landscape. The snowy mountain, Anavati. A notorious bandit group resided there. The Double Axe Bandits. The leader of the bandit group, Yurmati, had been resting heavily drunk despite it being broad daylight. He was roused at the call of a subordinate. Boss! Boss! What the hell, its too early in the morning! Its broad daylight, wake up, boss! Something big has happened! What the heck, my head hurts, so stop yelling! Im dying. As he laid his hand on the double axe by his side, his subordinates voice became uneasy. You know those kids next door? Those Bloody Bandits or whatever? Why are they invading our territory again, do they want another kicking? No! No, theyre all dead! Huh? All? Yes! How? No, well, I dont know. Its not just them. Bloody, Kalis, and the Fruit Bandits all died! All of them? Thats right! All the bandits in the area were annihilated. When he heard that they all died from an unknown cause, Yurmati, the leader of the Double Ax Bandits, was also very confused. Did the Kingdom Army invade or something? Or is it the Church? What the hell. No, why would you suddenly annihilate us bandits after leaving us alone for so long! What did we do wrong! Were just innocents! Uh, were not innocents. Boss. Oh, thats right. Bullying the villagers, taking their food, stealing, robbing money, kidnapping women come to think of it, those evil things, weve done them all. Kwaaang! The leader was scratching his head in embarrassment, but at this time the outside became noisy. Snowy mountain, Anavati. A man with a red cloak and two swords suddenly appeared at the stronghold of the Double Axe Bandits. What? Who opened the gate? We didnt open the gate! He broke down the fence and came in! What? What nonsense Since the snowy mountain was a place where wild beasts ran rampant, the sturdy fence was kept repaired and didnt leave a hole for even a mouse to get in. There was no way it could be destroyed by mere human power. That was then C Puhak! What the fuck! Suddenly, the uninvited guest drew his sword and began to cut down the bandits. Come on, catch him! No, kill him! What are you doing standing around! The bandit leader, Yurmati, shouted like an enraged whale. The bandits all pulled out their double axes and rushed at the sword-wielding visitor. The Double Axe Bandits were quite famous and the largest bandit group in the area. Thanks to this, the number of available personnel exceeded a hundred, and even included mercenaries with diverse backgrounds in their ranks. If one counted the number of people, it was more than one hundred. Besides, it was a group of talented people, not a bunch of random thugs. The bandit boss, Yurmati, snorted and folded his arms. He didnt know what kind of madman this guy was, but soon he would kneel before him drenched in blood, and thats all that mattered. But after a while C About a minute later, Yurmati unfolded his arms. After five minutes, his complexion became pale. Ten minutes later, he unwittingly grabbed the double axe that hung at his back. Fuck Ten minutes. After only ten minutes, the place became quiet. This wasnt just an idiomatic expression. The bandits were all really dead. Hundreds of corpses piled up like a mountain on the field, and in front of them stood a single swordsman with a fluttering red cloak. His swordsmanship was smooth and beautiful, but there was no mercy in it. The bandit boss saw the rosary hanging from the visitors neck. He was a Pilgrim. He was a Pilgrim of the Sword, called by the Gods. Why! Why are you doing this to me!! Just go look for your sword, you crazy guy! He shouted in anger, but the bandit leader soon regretted his words. And that regret was accompanied by his death. After a while C The Pilgrim could be heard mumbling, standing where the bandit chiefs head had fallen. Not enough. [Predator Sword C Loas] Grade C Life Sword. Inhabited Soul C A mixed soul. Unique Ability C Predation. Predation count C 494. But since I got this many Now, I just need to catch some beasts to reach five hundred. The Pilgrims name was Callius. He was feeding blood to the Predator Sword C Loas. In order to raise the level of the Predator Sword, it was necessary to feed it moderately with the blood of monsters and humans. So, while heading North for the past month, Callius slaughtered the bandits who hid under Carpes eyes. Because the northern part of the Kingdom was always barren and the snow was so heavy that it was out of reach of the Kingdom Army, many criminal groups hid there. It was along the road North anyway. So on the way, Callius found the famous bandits and wiped them all out cleanly. After all, they were like cancer for society, so he had no reluctance in killing them. The circumstances of each individual who became a bandit? If you cant wield your sword because you care about something like that, its better to put it down and become a Spirit Crafter. Heeok! Heeok! Master! Im here too! Please dont just leave me behind! Bruns. Callius clicked his tongue and put the Predator Sword back into its sheath. It was dripping with blood, but there was no need to wipe it off. Itll devour it anyway. I thought you had a little bit of stamina when we started traveling. Is this your first time in the North? Brr, its the first time in the northern parts! Master! Its also because the bag is heavy! Hmm. Lately, Ive gained a lot from wiping out the bandits. Because the grateful villagers gave food as thanks, and gold coins and riches came from the bandits dens. The [Eldoras Cloth Bag], an artifact purchased from Tristar, couldnt handle the weight, so Bruns had to climb the mountain with a fairly heavy weight. About a hundred kilos or so. Thats why Bruns body had improved a lot. The upper as well as lower body muscles were torn and rebuilt, and it became a body that was worth seeing. Honestly, I thought hed run away by now For a neighbourhood bully from the city, he had quite a bit of guts. Where are you going? To check out the place. A place this size should be full of gold coins and wealth! You cant just throw it all away. But itd be heavy. The bag would become heavier. Even if I die early, I have to die with money! Although it was very different from when I first saw him on Tristar C There is no change when in front of money. Now, or then. When gold coins were on the line, he was still the same. Callius, who was quietly waiting for Bruns to organize his thoughts, drew his sword again. Did they smell the blood? They were the beasts of the snowy mountains. Also, the North was the North after all. Even in these mountains, as if it was natural, there were magical beasts. First was a snow leopard, white as snow. Of course, the stature was larger than the average snow leopard, and it had much sharper claws. Its good. It was time to feed the beasts blood to his sword. If you approach me by yourself, Id actually be grateful. Once again, Callius Predator Sword was swung indiscriminately. One, two, ten. Even with the increasing number of beast corpses, strangely, they did not fall back. Its a bit terrifying. Callius looked at the Predator Sword C Loas. Loas, pulsing with a terrifying anticipation, was devouring the blood of the demonic beasts on its blade. Its like a demon sword. This ominous sword probably had something that attracted the beasts. Callius cut and cut, avoiding the claws and teeth of the onrushing beasts. And after a while C Master! I think you should come over here! Heeik! Bruns ran out from a cabin somewhere and was startled. It was because next to the corpses of bandits, this time the corpses of large beasts were forming a mountain. No, in a few moments, youve became covered in blood. Whats going on? Callius, who was drenched in blood, wiped his face with [Twilight Cloak] and approached Bruns. Theres someone here, I think you should take a look. Whats all the fuss about? That is. Callius followed Bruns into the bandits cabin. It was actually a prison, holding several women who appeared to be servants, and one child. A noble? The child was wearing clothes made of a luxurious fabric and looked like the descendant of an aristocrat. Callius, who had no interest, tried to rebuke Bruns for calling him for something like this; but after a moment, he looked back at the noble child, startled. Black hair that seemed to be part of the dark night. And gray eyes that looked like they were not of a human. The attendants trembled when they saw the blood-drenched form of Callius, but the noble child was looking at him with both eyes clear and open, as if completely without fear. You, whats your name? When asked, the child got up from the seat with bright eyes and said confidently C Emily, Emily von Jervain. A little child descended from the great noble family of the North. The family that rules supreme in the North. The same family as Callius, a famous family of swordsmen. She was a noble child who had inherited the blood of Jervain. Editors Notes: [1] ?? ?? (lit. hidden piece) Hidden Piece is an old slang term for game easter eggs like hidden classes, items, skills, races etc. Nowadays its more common in web novels. See Namu Wiki. Chapter 20 Rumble, rumble. Inside a carriage that was remodelled from a dog sled to run on the snow. Callius sat and looked at the girl facing him. The same hair colour as him. The same eyes. Emily von Jervain. The two looked at each other curiously. The two attendants accompanying Emily were murmuring and mumbling about Callius. Bruns was a little dissatisfied with the situation. After leaving the mountain and reaching the nearby village, they got a wagon, loaded it with their spoils, and headed North. And now, half a day has passed. Callius and Emily kept looking at each other without uttering a word. There was no one in the Carpe Kingdom who did not know Jervain of the North. Black hair. And gray eyes. Callius and Emily are both from the same family. Theres no way that master was married, so maybe its like a cousin. Emilys attendants seemed to think so, too. Khm. Here, Callius servant and friend of the heart must step forward. Ah, let me introduce my master An imposing Pilgrim who worships the great God Valtherus That was then C Emilys cute voice cut off Bruns words, piercing to the heart of the matter. Jervains scapegrace. Huk! Bruns, as well as the attendants, were startled and swallowed their breath. A dull man who has never had a talent for swordsmanship since he was a child. One who has an arrogant attitude as if looking down on and educating others, even though his own head is empty. Addicted to sensual pleasures and debauchery, so he often wastes his wealth. A rare piece of garbage. Bruns blinked. Aside from the authenticity of the words poured out in rapid-fire, he was confused as to whether it was real or not that a child as cute as a doll really uttered those words. He rubbed his ears once to check if he had heard it wrong. But there were far too many words in that tirade for him to have somehow misheard. Bruns gulped. The Callius he knew was a Pilgrim with no mercy in his actions. A man among men who had no hesitation when drawing a sword, one who always put his life on the line when it comes to fighting. To say that he has no talent in swordsmanship He didnt understand. Bruns glanced at his master, Callius. Despite the childs degrading remarks, his face was calm. Emily. How did you know I was Jervains scapegrace? Jervains direct descendants, as well as the people from the collateral branches are all busy subjugating the White Forest in the North right now. Emily pointed a finger at Callius neck and then at the back of his hand. Add to that the rosary around your neck, and the stigmata on your hand. I heard that you are the only one with Jervains blood who is a Pilgrim. You, the scapegrace. Youre smart. Unlike you. Psik. Callius grinned. She was only a little over twelve years old. She was far more bright and nimble than you would expect from her age. But after all, she was a child of Jervain. If you inherited Jervains blood, you should indeed be like this. Because that is befitting the name of Jervain praised by the masses. Jervain I came to the North to meet Bernard, but I didnt expect to meet somebody from Jervain before that. Then why were you captured by bandits? I dont want to tell you. Quite hostile. Shed probably heard the rumours and stories about himself from others in the family. Yeah. Callius, the scapegrace of Jervain, who did not cover his family in glory, but rather painted its name with dung. Even a small child wont have a good opinion about him if she has heard stories about him from an early age. Thats why I didnt want to meet anybody from the family. There is no reason to meet, and there is no good outcome even if you meet. The relationship between Jervain and Callius is tangled like a knot. One that is better to cut than to untie. For this reason, Callius has never set foot on the Jervain estate in the three years since he became a Pilgrim. But whose child is Emily? I have no memory of setting this up. If it was the direct line, I wouldve known. At a guess, maybe a child from a collateral branch. It doesnt really matter. Its pretty interesting, but Callius current goal is the Spirit Sword owner, Bernard of Jervain. Still, shes like a niece, so lets just take her home. Moreover, since she got captured by bandits, he felt a little anxious. She looks smart on the outside, but how did she get captured by a bandit group, of all things? He was curious. Emily. Dont talk to me like youre my friend. You idiot. How are you with the sword? Better than you. Then how come you got captured? I dont want to talk about it. Maybe you dont have any talent? Thats not it! Dont slander the family name by saying things you dont understand! She then kept her mouth shut, saying it was meaningless to explain. I dont think its some kind of great story, though. Its a great secret that you cant understand. If its just being caught by the bandits, what kind of great story can be behind that? The story became uninteresting from the moment those two-bit bandits got involved. One who has the blood of Jervain C Captured by roadside bandits. Callius noticed Emily giving him a venomous stare. Is your divine blood (sacred orifice)[1] blocked? Hearing that, Emilys hands curled into fists. That seems to be the correct answer. Some ancient noble lineages, including Jervain, have their own characteristics. It is the result of divine baptism from the time of the Kingdoms founding. That is why the royal family and some founding families have unusually coloured eyes or hair, or have stigmas somewhere on their body. Therefore, members of those families can have divine power even without being baptized. Of course, the same is true for Jervain. Their gray eyes contain the traces of God. Therefore, Jervain are born with divine power and handle the sword relatively easily. But Emilys divine power is too light. Its not that theres no divine power at all, but it feels strangely fragile. Just like when Callius was wearing [Vivis Bracelet], Emilys presence felt quite light. But theres no way a child like this could have such an artifact. It is reasonable to assume that the sacred orifice, the channel through which divine power flows, is blocked. Did you have an accident? Or was it intentional? Emily shut her mouth. Large tear droplets hung sadly from the corners of her eyes. She was desperately trying to hold back her tears. Seeing Emily look down at the floor like that, Callius turned to look at the scenery outside the carriage. You must have a story that you cant tell me. He was a little curious, but didnt ask further. He didnt want to talk much, nor did he want to listen to Jervains situation. After all, it was just a short-lived friendship. One that would soon come to an end. So there was no point in worrying. Their journey continued for three days. The wagon finally arrived at the Jervain familys territory. Straight ahead they could see the town built on a huge piece of land, and the castle standing majestic at the end. Jevarsch Castle, the ancestral home of the Jervain family. Then, lets part here. Callius immediately said his farewells to Emily. Emily also snorted and turned her back, and started trudging towards the castle. You dont want to go? Emily and her attendants were making their way to the castle through the rough snow. The castle was perched on top of a steep cliff, with sturdy walls and high battlements. Jevarsch Castle was nothing less than a natural fortress, and it was where Emily von Jervain should have been instead of running around outside. Its the Jervain familys estate. Theyll recognize me, and thats not going to end up anywhere good. Were running out of food and we have some things to sell. Youre being noisy. The people of the North treat the Jervain bloodline with utmost respect. Jervain is the shield of the North, so it is impossible that the locals would not recognize a Jervain on sight. Therefore, it was difficult for Callius to enter the Jervain estate. Because the news would quickly reach the family once the locals recognize and greet him. Theres nothing good about having the local scapegrace wander around the place. Its considered fortunate if nobody waves a knife at you and scolds you to get the hell out of there. Lets go. What is urgent now is not Emilys existence, but the Spirit Sword owner, Bernard. But what kind of person is this Bernard whom we need to find? The corners of Callius lips twitched at Bruns question. His eyes became sharp, and his hands brushed the hilt of the sword hanging at his waist. That damned old man. Jevarsch Fortress. Cheleleleuk. Thick chains rattled as the enormous gates slowly opened. Kugugung. A child and two attendants could be seen entering. Black hair and gray eyes. A girl with neat short hair and a prominent headdress. It was Emily von Jervain. As soon as the gates opened, Emily walked in and hurried towards the chapel. Opening the door, there was an old man with gray hair, drinking alcohol in front of the statue of Valtherus. Oh, this is the Holy Water His face was flushed as if he was completely drunk, and alcohol was dripping down his white beard. If he was pretending to be a priest, he didnt give off the impression of a very good one. Grandpa. Do you know where I just returned from? Huh? Who are you? Its Emily, Emily! Dont you even remember me anymore?! Ah, Emily, my sweet granddaughter! No, Im not grandpas granddaughter, Im more like your grandniece. But where were you? The servants were looking all over for you because you disappeared. Emily sat down on one side of the chapel with a prickly face. I went and raised my sword against the bandits. Then I got caught. Ohh. Why did you do such a reckless thing? I told you it was too early for you. Ive never killed anyone. Albert said, you have to kill to become a true Knight. Then my divine blood could get unblocked. The priest looked at Emily with pity and patted her shoulder. But how did you escape? Somebody helped me. Oh, may he be blessed! Who is it, I need to give him my thanks. Its someone grandpa knows. Um? Somebody I know? Gilbert? No, hes on the front line right now Then Charlie? No, hes hunting beasts in the White Forest Who could it be? Jervains scapegrace. The drunken priests eyes narrowed. Hey That bastard he saved me. How was he? Hes handsome. He called me smart. But he wasnt vulgar, right? Yeah just like grandpa said. Hahaha! The priest, laughing happily, touched the hilt of the sword hanging from his waist. Callius. So hes back. His name is Bernard. Hes a Paladin, who had found his own sword after a long pilgrimage. Editors Notes: [1] ?? (}Ѩ) is being translated as divine blood (sacred orifice). From context, this seems similar to the meridians for channeling qi in Chinese medicine, however only for channeling divine power. Chapter 21 Little by little. The glass shards under their feet brightened up in the reflected torchlight. The air was full of the putrid smell of carrion. In that musty underground area C Was a messy, shambolic laboratory. Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor Ryburn narrowed his brows as he put on his glasses. Leader. Take a look at this. Hmm. Itd been a long time since last he had to pursue after an apostate. The apostate who cleverly escaped his search network had passed through this underground laboratory. It was a terrible place where biological experiments had been conducted, unbridled. It seems that all the related specimens are dead. Of course There were also some signs of battle. Although some time had passed, it wasnt difficult to infer what had happened. The heretic who broke the Churchs taboo and the apostate who hid the holy relic Its an obvious combination. The heretic researcher couldnt have built a lab like this by himself. It was clear that he had a helper, and that must have been the apostate. Callius. It could be concluded that he had been the researchers associate. There must have been some quarrel between them. These people are demented heretics. A breach can easily occur between such people, since their cooperation is solely based on personal gain. And if thats not why C They might have coveted and tried to monopolize the power of the relic. Delruin, standing next to Ryburn, nodded his head and folded his arms, agreeing that it seemed a very plausible motive. But will this be alright? What do you mean? Didnt you see the traces of the battle between Pilgrim Esther and Callius? Ryburn fell silent. He had indeed seen it. The traces left from their battle. In the middle of those tangled woods. And at the end of it, a sharp and striking sword mark. A deep indentation, as if a dragon had scratched the ground with its claw. I heard Pilgrim Esther told you something. She said that she had been defeated. And that Callius is not an apostate, nor does he have any relics. It didnt make sense however many times you heard it. Ryburn snorted. If that fool didnt have the power of the relic, how could Esther, the next Saint of the Church and a genius among geniuses, be defeated by a mere three years of practice? Didnt you say that Pilgrim Esther was not injured anywhere? Yes, Im a little sceptical about that Seeing Ryburns sharpening eyes, Delruin fell into silence. After we uncover all Callius sins, we may have to go find Pilgrim Esther. Yes. What he did after visiting this underground laboratory was unknown. Even if Esthers words were true, there was a lot of ambiguity in his story. There was no reason why Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor, Ryburn, should stop. He is heading North. Yes, the scouts have reported that there are rumours of a Pilgrim who cleared out all the nearby bandits. Inquisitor Delruin. Yes, sir. Send a message to the Church. What Pilgrim Callius. He had a holy relic, which allowed a continuous and explosive growth. The extent of his growth could not be estimated by Ryburn, and it was still in progress. It was self-evident that if left as it was, he would become an uncontrollable monster. In addition, now that the circumstances of his deep involvement with a Spirit Crafter engaged in taboo research had come into light, he could not be left alone any longer. I speak in the name of Ryburn, the leader of the Inquisition. I am raising the danger level of Pilgrim Callius from level 5 to level 2, and I request active support from the Church. A request for active support I am requesting support from five of the seven Inquisitorial Platoons, leaving out the 1st and the 2nd. The purpose is the apostate Callius. His life, his relics. And C Ryburn looked at the largest broken glass tube at the end of the lab. The results of the research that violated the taboo. Seize it all. Hwiiing. The bone-chilling eastern wind blew through the North and cut deep into the White Forest. The man, who was wearing a thick hood, suddenly raised his head and let out a deep breath. The long white stream of his breath fluttered in the wind and dispersed. White Forest. A notorious high-risk area, even by the standards of the North. Grotesquely gigantic trees tower high in the sky, right in front of those who guarded its borders. A forest made up of such trees. That is the Northern White Forest. Each tree is wider than a house, and tall enough to block the sun, and they fill the uppermost edges of the northern parts of the Kingdom. From a distance one might be able to feel the magnificence of nature, and call it a superb view, but its neighbours do not. Life is a comedy from afar, and a tragedy from up close. It is the same for the Northern White Forest. To match the vast size of the forest, the beasts inhabiting it are similarly huge. Besides, they are more ferocious and more vicious than their kin from other places. Of course, there are a lot of territorial disputes between the beasts, and a lot of them move in herds, so hunting in the forest is not easy. There are many beasts that perceive the nearby humans as prey and wander across the forests borders. The number of Knights who enter the White Forest every year to hunt but are instead hunted down by their prey is also considerable. One might wonder, why is no effort made to cut down all the trees? No matter how big a tree is, it can be cut down. If the trees go through logging for several generations, there would be no such thing left as the White Forest, and there would be nothing to fear about the ferocious beasts breeding inside it. But those are the words of those who have never seen the White Forest properly. Most of the trees in the White Forest are silicified wood, which in simple words means a tree that has hardened into stone. How do you cut down a giant tree that has turned to stone? It cant be cut. If its a Paladin, he might be able to cut one down somehow over a few days. But how much time will it take for all the silicified trees in the White Forest be cut down? Who would be able to do all that messy work? Do those who have worked hard to rise to the position of a Paladin, want to cut down trees hard as stone for the rest of their lives? Thats just nonsense. Therefore, it is Jervains mission to lead Knights and soldiers to hunt the beasts inside the forest. Even if you cant cut down the trees, and you cant burn down the forest, and you cant wither the seeds of the demonic beasts even so, in the North, Jervain still stands. Its cold. The man standing in the centre of the White Forest felt a little nostalgia and boredom when he saw the sword marks on the silicified wood. Three years ago. Callius had been here. Immediately after gaining the status of a Pilgrim, he almost died while wandering around without knowing where to go. After organizing his thoughts, he made up his mind to train his body, so he went to the White Forest. No, to be precise, he set out to find him in the White Forest. But why isnt he here? Hed always been here. Although he was a Paladin who had completed his pilgrimage, he was a strange old man who hunted beasts in the White Forest without returning to the Church. Bernard. A Pilgrim who completed his pilgrimage, one who possessed Rakan, the Thunderbolt Sword, and has completed the achievement of turning his rosary into a sheath. An appointed Paladin, a hunter who never left the North and only hunted the beasts dwelling in the White Forest. Callius had visited him here three years ago. Um? You. Who are you? One does not simply walk into the White Forest. The pattern engraved on the speakers chest was a combination of a gray wolf and a sword. It was a pattern that symbolized Jervain. A Knight of Jervain? However, there was no gray in her eyes, and seeing that only a little divine power could be felt, she was a Knight who had been baptized. But she was holding a black Carcass. A sword close to a Life Sword. Cant you hear me talking? Chiang! The speaker and the Knights who followed her drew their swords as one. The Knights eyes were valiant and their postures dauntless. Probably because they were Knights of the North, their spirit itself was different from the Knights of other places. Such spirit and momentum seeped through the skin and made the blood boil. But Callius did not draw his sword in response. He looked at them for a moment, sighed, and pulled his hood back. Ah. The Knight-Captain, giving a small sigh, bowed her head. Immediately, the attitude changed. The stiff neck of the Knight-Captain, who had been trying to interrogate him with an overbearing attitude, bended down at once. It was a transformation that highlighted just how great was Jervains status in the North. I see you are a Jervain. Callius nodded disapprovingly and put his hood back on. He didnt want to show himself, but it was still better than having a pointless sword fight. He was not afraid to fight the Knights, but Callius wasnt a murderer. He wanted to avoid any fights, and if he shed blood here, the beasts of the White Forest would come rushing in droves. Besides, there was nothing good about killing Jervains Knights. All right then. But, the moment he was about to pass by C Hey, hey! Callius footsteps stopped at the Knights urgent voice. Isnt it Callius-sama? . Looking at him without saying a word, the Knight-Captains eyes filled with certainty. I must be right. So you know me. You dont recognize me? She frowned as at that, then gave a little laugh ??and took off her helmet. Im Orphin, who stood by young master when you were young. Orphin de Liofen! Orphin de Liofen. The lady who introduced herself like that seemed to be happy and burst into laughter. I dont know her. Seeing her talking about his childhood, it was a memory the current Callius had no knowledge of. You have grown up. . Judging by the way she treated him and her words, she seemed to have been a Knight in charge of escorting Callius when he was young. Its the first Ive heard of her name It doesnt look like shes an important character. But its an odd name. If youre even a little familiar, youd know, but thats not the case at all. We were on patrol. This is a coincidence, but would you like to join me for a while? Sure. You guys wait here. All right. Hwiiing. Buduk. Puduk. Callius and Orphin, who were walking across the White Forest through the crunching snow, were talking. Is that so, the Lord has adopted him Jervains main family line. The current children of the Patriarch were one son and one daughter. One of them was Callius. The only son of the Patriarch was an idiot, and one who was even almost expelled from the family, so he needed a new son. Yes. He is not only good at swordsmanship, but he is also excellent in other various fields. Everyone thinks that he will probably succeed him soon. Well Oh, I made a slip of the tongue. No, no problem. Im too busy with my life, so who cares? Im not interested in the first place. Its not some ordinary family, its Jervain. An area that can fall into danger at any time, not only by threats from the White Forest, but also while defending the vast territory and its borders. Besides, feeding the numerous residents and their dependents living here is not something just anyone can do. Its a daunting task just to protect yourself. I am not a fool, greedy for the job of a caretaker of a barren field. Cheok. Orphin, who suddenly stopped walking, looked at her sword with eyes wet with falling snow. Do you remember? No, I dont remember. Callius was starting to find it difficult to persist against the Knights slow and long-running welcome. It was a waste of time, and he had no interest in listening to stories from the past that he couldnt even remember. He needed to find Bernard quickly. She seemed to have something she wanted to say, but all this hesitation was just frustrating. When you were young, young master asked me to practice swordsmanship. Is that so? At that time, young master lost your wooden sword against my sword and became angry. Where is the story going? It seems that the escort Knight had been tormented quite a bit. You said this while kicking my shin. Just because you became a Knight somehow by swinging your sword, do you think youve become an aristocrat? Is that so? Sreung. Orphins sword, slowly drawn out, showed off its coloured edge. I thought she wanted to say something, but looked like she wanted to do something instead. And then, you kept beating me as hard you could with your wooden sword. If I resisted, you said youd accuse me for striking at my master, and have me kicked out as an honourless Knight. Sadness and regret could be seen in her bitter smile. To spit such disgrace on a Knight who lives for honour and dies for honour After all, a scapegrace is a scapegrace. This must also be fate. Since you became a Pilgrim of the Order and left Jervains name behind. My sword is only going to cut through a savage nameless bastard encountered outside the border. Isnt that Gods will? Callius eyebrows twitched. Callius. A fool like you was not supposed to come back to the North. A sword brimming with old grudges that he had no memory of was directed at him. Callius let out a deep sigh as he looked at Orphins sword. Thats why I didnt like coming to the North. Callius! Pull out your sword! Its embarrassing, but what can I do? If I have to pull it out, I just have to pull it out. Sreung C cheok. He grabbed [Predator Sword C Loas] and started pulling it out, put it back in, and pulled out Life Sword C Lucen instead. You have no talent in swordsmanship, and yet you carry a good sword. Isnt that throwing pearls before swine? I see. I thought it would be a little different because you became a Pilgrim. But seeing how the divine power flowing through you is thin like a rats tail, as expected, you have achieved nothing! Its amazing that youre still alive. . Its just that my honour has been tarnished by a trivial thing like you Come. Ill give you a chance, for our old times sake. Is that so. Callius raised his sword, looked at it and murmured. Thank you. And, immediately C Callius sword struck like a lightning bolt. Chapter 22 Chapter 22 Orphin de Liofen. A Knight searching for honour and glory. Like most of the children in Carpe, she grew up listening to the prestigious tales of the Jervain family. So, after she became a Knight, she naturally came and knocked on their door. Since she was a promising Knight despite being born a woman, she did not face any obstacles, and soon was able to make an oath of allegiance and dedicate her sword to Jervain. That she would gladly give her life to the North, and in the name of Jervain. Thus, she swore and committed. But the North was harsh. Beasts flocking incessantly, and enemies looking for the slightest weakness. Yet, that only made the task more honourable. Her cause was to protect Jervain, and thus contribute to the protection of the Kingdom itself. A sense of pride burned in a corner of her heart. Even though I was born as a woman, I decided to live as a Knight. What cause could I fight for more honourable than this? She was content with her choice. Of course, until she met the scapegrace of Jervain C Until she met Callius. Keuk! Chaeeng C chaeng!! Kugugugugu! Rattle. Its heavy. Only one strike, yet the weight of that one strike was unusual. Her hand trembled and her sword shook. Her gauntlets were quickly soaked with blood from her torn palms. Tuk, ttuk. Red droplets fell and seeped into the frozen snow. Haa, haa Cold air streamed into the lungs. But in contrast, the whole body burned with heat and sweat. Huu C Shed heard rumours that he became a Pilgrim. So she had some hopes for his success. But Orphin was greatly disappointed as soon as she saw Callius. The quality of his spiritual power as well as the visible momentum C were so lacking as to be called insignificant. No matter even if he became a Pilgrim, Callius remained Callius. A scapegrace rarely seen. A pile of useless filth. Him just being alive was almost sinful. Even still, she sighed. She still sympathized. Because he was still useless. So, she brought up the old story. If you show any regrets C If you say youre sorry, if you apologize C She decided to forgive him by saying it was alright, since hed been young. Even if hed tarnished her honour, wasnt it just the folly of childhood? I still carry that old memory, but if you apologize sincerely, Ill forgive you. However. He was indifferent about the past. He didnt even care to listen, as if he didnt even remember. Although shed decided to forgive him, its true that her heart still felt burdened and laden. So, now she was reassured. He still remained an incorrigible piece of garbage, and thats how Orphin liked it. So, she drew her sword. But why?! Kaang C! How! How could he wield such a heavy sword, when his level of divine power is no better than ant! Orphin couldnt understand. Her long-ago master was holding his sword in front of her with an expressionless face. Callius von Jervain. She doubted whether he was truly the person he knew. Different. There were differences compared to the one in her memory. He no longer looked like an immature nobleman who couldnt even hold the sword properly. Sharp eyes. An emotionless face. A terribly indifferent expression. ! So Orphin was outraged. She felt as if shed been completely ignored. As if her opponent didnt have any attention to spend on her. Even though, between the two of them, she had launched the bigger share of attacks. However, her opponents sword steadily received her attacks, and used that power to counter with a stronger force. Kaang C! Obviously, she stabbed the sword straight towards him each time, but the swords tip always ended up deviating to either look up at the sky or look down at the ground. The fight shes assumed would be over in a few strikes now inched closer to dozens, or hundreds. Haa C haa C haa!! Her muscles were weary, her heart felt like it was about to burst, and beads of sweat streamed down her face. Her rapid breaths steamed white in the air, but the idiot in front of her was just staring back at her with his still, gray eyes. Puff. Anger filled her throat. Aaahhhhhh C! She squeezed out all of her power in reserve, and concentrated her divine power on her sword. Sword energy rose off the blade like light and fluttered above the knee-deep snow. If its this C If its this, it will definitely be able to cross the gap between us and touch him. Huuuung C! But, then C Hwiii C chaeaeng C! The silver sword that appeared only for a moment filled her eyes with its dazzling light. Hwiiiik, puk! The sword left her hand and dropped to the ground. Between the two, the torn and shredded sword energies fluttered like petals in the air. Ah. The petals of sword energy danced in the air. The broken silver petals were transcendently beautiful in the sunlight. Orphin, realizing that she was kneeling on the snow, let out a laugh. In front of her, those ruthless gray pupils of Callius appeared again. A complete defeat. It was Orphins defeat, and an inexcusable one. Kill me. Orphin bowed her exposed neck, defenceless. Sreung. Callius sword pointed towards Orphin. The premonition of death covered her like a shadow. However C Chwaaaak! She startled. It wasnt Orphin that Callius cut. It was a giant white sand snake. The head of the giant reptile, itself the length of a larger than average snake, rolled in the snow. They seem to be flocking here because of the smell of blood. Callius, who put Lucen back on his waist, calmly started to quickly walk away. Youre just leaving like this! Without ending it!! Are you going to tarnish my honour again! Orphin screamed, but the response made her dazed. It was just a practice duel. Do you have to take your opponents life after a practice duel? Saying that, Callius quietly disappeared into the White Forest somewhere. Orphin, who was looking at his trail with a blank face, finally got up and grabbed her sword. Just a practice duel, huh? Smiling bitterly, she soon went back to join the Knights who had come to find her. Did he leave? Yes. What did you do? You dont look very good, Captain. Its nothing. Just A practice duel, a quick one. Various emotions appeared and disappeared on Orphins face. However, that swordsmanship did not leave her mind. That much skill Did he hide it before? The confused Orphin soon led the Knights back to Jevarsch Castle. A dark night. After spending a day and a half hunting the beasts in the White Forest, Callius arrived at a small inn near the border. Hed looked for Bernard, but couldnt find him. And met Orphin instead. Zzzzzz C! Snores vibrated even outside the house. Bump C! When he opened the door, Bruns could be seen sleeping on the bed, snoring. Callius eyes grew cold. The White Forest was a pretty dangerous place, so he told Bruns to rest here since bringing him along would be bothersome. But seeing him rest so comfortably, he didnt feel good at all. The master came back from a bloody fight with the beasts in the White Forest under a raging blizzard, and the servant was sleeping so comfortably. With a full stomach, no less. Bruns. Callius called in a heavy voice. However, there was not even a twitch in response. Rather, Bruns only snored louder, as if asserting even more excitedly that he was asleep. Callius patience had by now reached its limit. He immediately launched a kick towards Bruns who was still lying on the bed. Puk C bump! Ugh! Which bastard! Bruns woke up and screamed in surprise, but all he saw was Callius, with snow piled up on his head and shoulders. Oh my gosh, youre back! Bruns immediately bowed his head. Callius eyes were so cold that they seemed to tear into his skin. Bruns arched his back even lower and stepped aside. Why is there only one bed? Ah, oh, that. Thats, um. Because there is only one room here. Its a small place near the border, what do you mean theres no room? How come theres only one room left empty? In response to the question, Bruns scratched the back of his head as if he also didnt understand the reason. Ah, yes. I also asked because it was strange They said its because tomorrow is a day for hunting. Hunting? Teoss C Callius sat on the bed and stroked his chin, deep in thought. I see. Now seems to be that time. Do you know? Its not a big deal. Probably because the breeding season is approaching. The breeding season of the beasts inside the forest. Giving birth requires a lot of nutrition, and for the beasts the main nutritional supplement happened to be C eating humans. Hunting therefore referred to a large-scale hunt for beasts by leading a large army of soldiers into the White Forest, to ensure that no beasts come out and attack the civilians. I guess wandering Knights are coming from all over, so there are no rooms left. Wandering Knights who have ambiguous origins or single-mindedly pursue honour, usually set their sights on the North as their destination. However, Jervain is not a family that just anyone can enter, because it stands so high even among the families known for their swordsmanship. So, they hold a hunting contest. For the Jervain family, in any case, there were more benefits than losses. Would you like to eat? Considering how much master eats Ill eat at the restaurant. Are they ready? Yeah, Ive put a word in advance. Then lets go. Yes! Ill guide you. Is there a need to guide? It was just a three-story inn. It wasnt that big place, you could just go down to the first floor and youd find the restaurant. My master is here, like I told you before, bring the food! Ah, Ill prepare it for you. Since it was an inn in the North C The owner didnt give off a normal impression either. Although he was bald, the scars on his face and the well-forged arm muscles looked quite impressive. Callius sat down, glancing once at those who were already eating in the dining room. Its annoying. Most of the people here were Knights, come to participate in the hunting competition. So, they fought with each other. With his hood on, the others couldnt see the colour of his hair and eyes, so they thought he was also a Knight to compete with. He was getting tired for nothing because the Knights showed off their spirit inside the small restaurant. Theyre not Knights, theyre thugs. The aura seemed to be lingering. I can see what youre doing. Oh, theres our meal. Not bad. Bruns knew Callius appetite well, as hed seen him eat from up close. The restaurant owner placed dozens of large plates on the table. On the plate, a variety of generous amounts of meat were arranged by portion. And then the main dish. Quang C! At the centre of the table, an unknown beast, roasted whole. Our famous northern dish, grilled earth dragon! Oh, oh C! Well. I was worried about the food as it was a fairly small inn, but I was mistaken. An earth dragon. Although its not a real dragon, but more like a lizard. Callius lips curved. Immediately, he picked up his fork and knife, and cut off the hind legs of the grilled earth dragon. The juices splattered inside his mouth. The legs had a lot of muscle so he thought the meat might be tough or stringy, but that was not the case at all. Rather, it was chewy, and the seasonings and the sauce permeated deeply into the cut, so it tasted like pork feet. Not bad. Callius kept elegantly slicing the roasted earth dragon with a knife. But, brothers, can you eat all of this? I hate my food being left over. What do you think of my lord! Someone who eats like hes carrying a wagon in his stomach! We can even order more, so please relax, master! Bruns. Yes, lord! Would you like more? Is it better to rip off your mouth or pluck out your tongue? Its your choice. I choose to keep my mouth shut The innkeeper chuckled. Im sorry, but please be patient. I just ran out of ingredients. This is enough. Then Im glad! Haha! The owner smiled happily and headed back to the lobby. Kkikig. Master, one meal. It was a guest. A man with a big sword on his back. At a glance, he was a strong man, and looking at the traces on his armour, one could tell that he was quite a belligerent one. Im sorry, but dinner is over. Then what is that? That was the last. Unfortunately, youre one step late. I want to give you a meal, but I cant make any more because Im out of ingredients. The owner said it was a pity, but he didnt look very sad. The mans eyes turned to Callius and the others, who were eating so sumptuously the table legs creaked under the weight of food. Jeok, jeok. Kkikig. Every time he took a step, the wooden floorboard groaned and squeaked. Teosss. Hey, you. Cant you see my master is eating!? Servants should stay out of this. What! Puk C! The Knights fist split the air. Kkkeuk! Kudang C! Bruns collapsed, smashing against the table, and didnt look like he could get up. However, Callius, who was still eating the earth dragon, did not care. He had gracefully eaten up the flesh of the hind legs with his knife and fork, and now remained the forelegs, as well as the special parts of the grilled earth dragon C the neck and the breast. And last but not the least. The cheek, the most special part of a roasted earth dragon. It was the part he was most looking forward to. Since Im so hungry. If possible, lets eat together. Udududuk. The man immediately ripped off the earth dragons head with his hand and began to chew it whole. Callius fork stopped. Oh, owner. The workmanship is quite good! How delicious is this!? Especially, yo, these cheeks are amazing! The eyes that looked at him were full of life. The giant Knight seemed to have fallen in love with the taste of the roasted earth dragon, so he spread his hand out again after eating the head whole. He was moving to tear off a foreleg. Then Callius fork flew through the air. Puk! Keuk! The fork pierced the back of the Knights hand. Hey, you crazy bastard! If you want to die, pull it out. Your neck will fly off the moment you pull it out. The Knights throat bobbed high and low under the gaze of those eerily cool pupils. He couldnt pull out the fork or hold his sword, so for a moment he could only look at his hand on the table awkwardly. But the pain made him soon forget the fear. You motherfucker! Ppok! He pulled out the fork, threw it away, and reached out to the sword behind his back. But Callius was one step faster. The knife he was holding in his hand moved. Cheolkong C! The Knights armour fell off. The man was taken aback for a moment, and froze with his hand on the handle of the sword behind his back. Callius had tried to cut the Knights head off with a knife, but he couldnt. He could only cut the seams of the armour, so the huge armour the Knight had been wearing fell to the floor. The cause was that an old man pulling his arm from behind him. Teosss. The half-naked Knight now had cold sweat dripping down from the tip of his chin. Heh heh heh C that hair-trigger temper is still there, I see. Ooh, what a laugh! This old mans throat was almost blown away! If only it did get blown away. By this time, Callius had no choice but to stop eating. The unpleasantness during the meal suddenly became irrelevant. Teosss. The old man hauled himself into the seat facing Callius, gasping at the plethora of food. Yeah, you need this kind of a meal to keep your stomach in shape. Did you get money from somewhere? Dont tell me you ripped off that de Bolivian woman again? However, immediately C Callius sword slashed across the table like an agile tiger. Kaang C! Kkig, kkikigigig!! Sparks flashed like splendid fireworks. Hey, what a great sword! The old man was still sitting at the table, but his sword which received Calliuss attack was revealed. A red blade, symbolizing a Spirit Sword. Contrasting it, the blue lightning flowing through the blade flashed intermittently. Is it just this sword? The owner of the Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan, and the only Paladin in the North. Bernard. Bernard, the Blue Thunderbolt. Chapter 23 Blue Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan. As its name suggests, Rakans unique ability is called Blue Lightning. In other words, it is a sword that wields lightning. The Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan shows extremely excellent performance among the Spirit Swords with unique abilities from the elemental family. It doesnt let the wielder manipulate lightning directly, so its not possible to do things like calling lightning from the sky, or to shoot a targeted lightning bolt from the sword. But even so, the advantage of a sword overflowing with lightning is enormous. Most Knights would just be electrocuted to death from one touch. Of course, the effect can vary wildly based on the presence or absence of divine power, but Rakans unique ability is a huge advantage in battles where one instant can decide life or death. And if you push yourself a little, you can even launch AoE attacks. A specification that can compete with any other sword of the same rank. On top of that, a sword with versatility. Thats the Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan. Its been a while, you scapegrace. Its been a while. Bernard. Youve kept my sword well all these years. Seeing Rakan, I feel more at ease. Callius had been coveting Rakan since three years ago. Other swords could not be found or made with the skills he had at the time, but the Thunderbolt Sword was different. An elemental family Spirit Sword famous for its power even among the same grade. The Thunderbolt Sword that wielded lightning. If anyone heard you, theyd think you gave it to me for safekeeping. They sat with their swords facing each other. Bernard smirked as he was again hearing something absurd. Itll be mine soon. So, Im not wrong. Haha, are you going to beg me for a sword duel again like three years ago? Theres nothing wrong with that. Arent you old enough to retire? How about you calmly hand over Rakan, and go spend the rest of your life comfortably sitting on the porch or whatever old people do? Things were not the same as before. Callius felt more confident now. All sorts of possibilities ran through his head. Youre not listening to anything I say, as usual. Tut, tut, tut. Nothing sems to have changed. Rakans lightning slowly seeped in. His right arm was going numb. However, in his Elixir Field, a bud of the Six Peak Flowers technique was slowly unfolding. Damage was being mitigated by the rising divine power. Callius momentum, which had till now been masked by [Vivis Bracelet], suddenly grew like a torrent. His pupils flashed silver, and the same colour dyed the edge of his sword. There was a deep curve now at the corner of Bernards lips. Looks like you didnt spend all that time in vain. Guess there are quite a few hidden cards. Stop your meaningless chatter ??and just give me the sword. Its better for Rakan to be in my young hands than in your old ones. Even the sky isnt as high as your arrogance. Chaeeng C! Whiiiik. Callius sword bounced off as Bernard twisted his body sharply. And his sword fell like a thunderbolt. I cant block this. Bang C! Callius immediately kicked the table to push himself backwards. Kwajik C! Chwaaaak! Bernards sword split the table in two as it rushed in. Jijijik! The sword was dyed blue. Lightning flashed. Instantly, Bernard seemed to disappear. Callius gaze turned upward. Bernard, holding his sword with both hands, emerged from the air as if hed been hiding in it, and fell upon Callius like lightning. Kwagwang C! One of Bernards specialties. Called, the Lightning Strike. Keuk. The floor of the restaurant exploded as if a real lightning bolt had struck. Blue lightning streaks fulminated in all directions like a spiders web, chasing him down like a hunter chased its prey. Chwaaaak! Callius blindly cast a silver sword strike to drive out the lightning. Swiik! But Bernards lightning broke through the deflagration to target him again. Kkigigig! Quang C! Callius barely escaped with his neck by raising his sword and making Rakan minutely deviate its trajectory. Rakans thunderbolt exploded on the wall behind him in a devastating manner. Just with that residual blue lightning C The blackened logs on the wall were cracked open and the snowstorm outside whistled into the room. What is that ominous sword? Against Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan, there were now two swords in Calliuss hand. In his left hand was Lucen. In his right hand, he held the Predator Sword C Loas which had blocked that final strike from Rakan. If it had been a little later, Rakans red blade would have cut Callius neck. Hooo C! Whiiik, tasss. Bernard did a somersault to dodge Callius sword and landed on the table that had been split in half. The smell of blood on that sword is far too thick. It will drive its wielder to a frenzy. Then give me Rakan. How can I do that? I have a bond with this sword that has accompanied me for so many years. Sreung C cheok. Callius, who put Lucen back to its sheath, now tightly clasped the Predator Sword C Loas with both hands. The bud of the Six Peak Flowers technique has bloomed. The highly pure divine power that was unique to it spread through Callius body. Quickly. Holding the Predator Sword in a grip so tight as if to break it, Callius eyes started gleaming silver. Soon, the sword energy signifying the Silver Flower Wave Sword rippled on Loas blade. It has to end in one blow. If you drag it any longer, Bernard with Rakan will have the advantage. Callius no longer had any hidden cards, but he still believed in one thing. Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season C Silver Flower Wave Sword. Remember the duel with Esther. The sword that had been swung out of a moments enlightenment. He had defeated a genius with that single sword. So, I will see that scene here again, once again. Kuung C he stomped on the floor hard as if trying to break it. Unlike his heavy footstep, his new sword quickly headed for Bernard. At the same time, Bernards Thunderbolt sword flashed. A fleeting moments movement. Callius and Bernard clashed. Quang C! A roar resounded that was hard to believe as a clash between two swords. Quajijik C pajik! But it was only a fleeting moment, and Callius and Bernard had already passed each other in the opposite direction. Silver petals and blue lightning had clashed. It was unknown who won. But soon, a broken sword split the air. Whiiik, puk. A broken sword was stuck to the floor. A blue-blade sword, with many missing teeth. Predator Sword C Loas. It was Callius sword. Ttt. It was a defeat. There was a little blood dripping from his left shoulder. But the wound was shallow. There was only one shallow sword cut on the shoulder. Callius glanced behind him and restrained his divine power. Dururuk, cheok. Callius, who put Loas in its sheath, looked at Bernard with a dissatisfied expression. Bernard, in contrast, had a wild smile on his deeply wrinkled face. Ha ha ha ha! Whats funny? That Jervains scapegrace has now grown so much, how can his master not laugh! Callius face scrunched into a frown at the word master. Dont be an idiot. Since when have I been your disciple? Khahahaha, what a great day today is! Yes, yes, God will not begrudge me a drink on a day like this! Pong! Bernard took out a bottle of wine from his sleeves and gulped it down. Hey C! This is the holy spirit. A strong physique that didnt look like that of an old man. A loud voice. On top of that, the Paladin had a quite arrogant personality. But still, Callius was amazed by how rude Bernard could be. It smells good. However, that striking wine fragrance brushing past him was enough to captivate Callius senses. Im not going to give it to you, so stop dreaming. If I gave it to you, even if I had a whole jar of wine, it wont be enough. I didnt even ask for it. He thought it was a pity in the depths of his heart, but Callius did not have any regrets. Bernard, so you were hiding in the corner all along. Who was that guy just now? As a teacher, I had to gauge how much my disciple has grown. If youd just been wasting time, you were going to get a spanking. However, Bernard was satisfied. Surely, Callius got stronger. Its like hes a different person compared to back when he couldnt even hold a sword properly. Bernard struggled to hide his trembling hands and brought the bottle to his mouth. Khahahahaha! However, you failed to take my sword this time too. Scapegrace. My name isnt scapegrace. I know, I know. What parent in the world would name their child something like that? But its not the parents who give somebody that kind of name, but themselves. The old man was very good at twisting his words around. Callius asked, looking at him with a blunt gaze. What do you want to say? If fighting is the best teacher, wouldnt I be your teacher more than anybody else? It was quite difficult to avoid beating you to death, when you were trying to fight me for Rakan every day. You know that, right? Tt. Of course. How could I not know? Three years ago. Approaching Bernard had been extremely intentional. He was the most affectionate and righteous among those who could become teachers for the players starting at Carpe. Not just his skill or talent, but his ability to teach others was also extremely excellent. In the first place, his status and traits were all specialized for teaching others. So, as soon as Callius became Callius, he looked for Bernard. If you learn from him, no matter how dull you are, your sword skills will inevitably sharpen. Due to Callius crooked personality, I never treated him properly. For three years, it was quite troublesome because of the traits of mania and nobility that were engraved on the body. Bernard had been patient with him, but it wasnt the first time hed been humiliated by Callius temperament, which popped out from time to time. At first, I almost died. It had been quite eventful, but now in this world, the only person that Callius could trust would be Bernard. His only master. Outwardly he persisted in his stubborn denials, but in his heart, he regarded the old man as his master. The traits of a maniac and the pride of an aristocrat struggled against that feeling. Callius. Bernards eyes changed. Callius breathed out a sigh at the sight. Whenever I have a fight with you, I always stake my life. His life, he says. This is your defeat again, so you have to grant me one request. Dont make me do weird things. I wont do anything bothersome like going to a strange ruin to get you alcohol. Callius wanted Bernards sword. So Bernard had a duel with him a few times. But it was always a defeat for Callius. Whenever that happened, Bernard gave Callius an errand. No. Thatd be too easy for you now. I wont do something that unfair. Then what is it you want this time? Have you met Emily? Do you know Emily? Shes a kid with a lot of stories. Her divine blood seemed to have been blocked. But how could that happen to a child from Jervain hed been sceptical, but then ignored it. Because it wasnt important. Is it something to do with Jervain? Yeah. A hunting contest will be held in a few days. Patalites Wheel. You should participate there. You mean? Yeah. Join there and protect Emily. Patalites Wheel. In the past, to this place had come Patalite, a Saint and a Paladin of the Order. There was a word shed spat out after a fierce battle in the Northern White Forest. A wheel. Shed said that the White Forest was like a great wheel that turned without end. After saying those words, shed disappeared; and in the Jervain family domain, when the beasts breeding season approaches, a hunting contest is held in the name of Patalites Wheel. The original purpose was to find the missing Patalite, but now, hundreds of years later, it has become just an annual event to reduce the number of beasts. If you give me Rakan, Ill think about it. Heh, youre still a long way off. You bastard. Bernard didnt even mention why Callius had to protect Emily or why he cared about the child. But since he had asked, Callius had no reason to refuse. Bernard, who came like a thunderbolt, drank all the alcohol and then calmly disappeared, leaving Callius silent. After a while. Gahk! I, master! Are you okay? This Bruns is fine! Bruns, who suddenly came to his senses, ran to him and responded to questions that hadnt even been asked. Callius looked at him with tired eyes and opened his mouth. Bruns. Yeah, yeah! Mas-ter! Just say it! Ill deal with that pig bastard! Mas-ter wont even have to lift a hand! Said the guy who fell over in one hit. He was so weak that it couldnt be overlooked any longer. It looked like he needed some training. Wipe your nosebleed. Its ugly. Ah C! Yes, yep! Hehe. And get ready. Uh, get ready for what [Patalites Wheel] The doom of the North casts over you its deathly shroud. Survive. ??? ??? [???] Editors Notes: So, were at the start of the war arc, and things about to go crazy. Strap in your seatbelts! Chapter 25 Dakuk. Putting down the teacup, Bernard looked at the man in front of him, who exuded the aura of a sharp sword. Although he looked middle-aged, his dignified bearing was enough to match even the sovereign of a nation. The supreme ruler of the North. Elburton von Jervain. He was Count Jervain. Thank you for agreeing to my request. Nonsense. Shouldnt I even listen to this much if its the Master of the North whos asking? But C What is the reason for keeping me in Jevarsch? The hunting competitions during Fatalites Wheel[1] do bring a lot of benefits to Jervain. But its not always beneficial. You seem to have something in mind. Its just an old man worrying. The Count didnt explain. But Bernard seemed to know what he was thinking. Are you suspicious of Callavan? Jervains name holds that kind of weight. If they harm the family, even my own children must die. Anything that endangers the survival of the North, must face my sword. Whatever it is. That is the only way to safeguard the family, the North, and the country itself. Such is the Jervain Patriarchs way of life. Since the old days, from the founding of Carpe, Jervain has existed and will continue to exist in that manner. One of them was kicked out, and the other one left the family on her own two feet. However, I still have to protect Jervain, and I still have to protect the North. So I have to be careful. He was suspicious of Callavan. Exactly what he suspected was unknown, but Bernard could guess that it wasnt something favourable to Jervain or the North. Then Emily When Emilys name came out, the lines on the Counts forehead deepened. That child has also inherited Jervains bloodline. It is inevitable. Are you just going to leave things as they are? That child cant even properly use her power because of the problems with her divine blood. Even so. Its not just her bloodline, even Emilys hair and eyes are completely Jervains. I cant be seen to favour one side over the other. At the Counts stubborn words, Bernard let out a deep sigh. Then Emily will die. She hasnt even seen the flowers bloom yet. Theres no way he will leave Emily, the only direct descendant of Jervains bloodline, alone. Even you, Count, cant pretend that you dont know! Death is surprisingly fair and natural. You may die at the age of ten, or you may die at the age of twenty. Death is a common and universal providence of nature. If you are weak, you die quickly, and if you are strong, you may live long. It might have sounded cold, but both of them had been immersed in the harsh battlefields surrounded by savage swords for far too long. Therefore, Bernard could not refute the Counts words despite his deep sense of urgency. So, he took a different track. Callius is in the North. The Counts hand holding the teacup trembled. The tea surface rippled and swayed, and a drop of black tea dripped down the cups side. He is no longer a Jervain. But the blood does not lie. I entrusted him to escort Emily. I think you did something useless. Id heard that he became a Pilgrim. Even so, what would have changed if that scapegrace became a Pilgrim? Hed be lucky to not get caught up in the problems of this Wheel. A meeting between a genius who cant use her divine power, and a trash swordsman. Count Jervain couldnt help but laugh at the absurd combination. The Count shook his head and stood up from his seat, turning his back and approaching the window. It was a signal to leave. Bernard got up from his seat as well, adding a last word of encouragement. Your son has changed quite a bit. It wont be long before my sword is taken away. This Wheel will change a lot in the North, looks like. Kik C thump. After Bernard had retreated, the Count murmured, looking intently at the small and childish old sword hanging next to his bookshelf. Why did you come? This winter. Its unusually cold, enough to make me shiver to my bones. After the interview with the Count, Bernard returned to the chapel to watch the red sunset. As many thoughts collided and interlocked in his head, it became heavy. When he woke up, staring listlessly at the ground, the night was already deep. However, his feet again wandered to the inn where the one in his thoughts was supposed to be. Its Bernard, right? Um, yes, do you know me? Youre the one who destroyed my inn, so how can I not know? Hahaha! Ah, thats right. Come to think of it, I didnt even compensate you for it. This is really. No, no. Your disciple has already paid for everything. Did he? Bernard grinned at the mention of Callius. Did you come to see your disciple? Thats right. So? Yeah, try going up. They went and bought some stuff from outside, then went up after eating dinner. Thank you. Bernards feet climbed the stairs and reached in front of Callius door. Ttok, ttok. As he knocked on the door, it opened as if waiting, and those blunt gray eyes looked down at him. Whats going on? Looks like youve been waiting for me, but youre still making such a sullen expression. If youve gone senile with age, why dont you just quietly leave your sword behind. Age, huh! Im still good enough for ten more years. Bernard entered the room with a pleasant smile and sat down on a chair. Okay, are you ready? Were preparing. Fatalites Wheel. The hunting competition would span seven days. So there was a lot to prepare. Youd also need to pack food and supplies for camping. And Emily That cheeky little kid just came and tried to test me by swinging her sword. At Calliuss expression saying how absurd that was, Bernard burst into laughter. Hey, shes a bit arrogant alright! Remind you of somebody? Dont talk bullshit. Actually, she still cant be compared to you, Jervains idiot. Suddenly, Im feeling sorry for Emily. I even said that she resembles the biggest trash in the world Oh my. Ill have to go apologize to her right away, early tomorrow. Bernard giggled, as if teasing his student made him feel very excited. Of course, Callius faced him with a sarcastic expression. If youre only here to gossip, just stop. Were already quite busy. Why dont you think about the heart of the master who wants to spend even a little bit of time with his disciple who is going far away for so long? What kind of nonsense is the person who made me go that far away saying? Thats hard to answer. That clogged up way of speaking is very much like the Count. Bernard secretly scolded Count Jervain, muttering that he and his son resembled each other in some unfortunate ways. The door isnt locked. Fine, you cant even take a joke. Bernard quickly erased his smile and opened his mouth again, pressing on his knees softly with his palms. I cant even take a single step out of the Jevarsch. As long as the Wheel spins. What do you mean? An uncaring attitude. It was the Counts request. Callius eyebrows twitched. Protect the castle at the Counts request. As long as Fatalites Wheel is spinning? There is something fishy C He couldnt help but think that way. The Count doesnt seem to fully trust Callavan, whom he adopted. Besides, he asked me to protect the castle because there were some strange signs. Its got nothing to do with me. Why not! You are also the eldest son of Jervains bloodline! Bernard, who snapped and shouted, looked into Calliuss gray pupils. You still havent forgiven your father. What happened back then Bernards mouth twitched in hesitation and stilled. It was probably a good thing. Heh heh The Count must fulfil his mission in his own way. His destiny leaves him no other choice. It has nothing to do with me. Fine. Bernard shook his head at that stubborn attitude. Three years ago. Bernard and Callius were wandering the North. They spent most of their time in the White Forest and hunted the beasts, but they werent the only ones there. It was because Bernard wanted Callius to accumulate a lot of experience. It was my fault. However, because of that greed, Callius met a person he did not need to meet and was seriously injured. He must have been angry that his son who had been kicked out was still wandering around the North. Still, the Count was a bit too harsh back then. Bernard sighed and clicked his tongue, thinking of Callius and the Count. At that time, what happened was due to his own greed, so Bernard had a sense of obligation. After that, Callius went on his pilgrimage alone, and Bernard entered the castle by himself. Even though he used to be the one who never left the White Forest. Then protect Emily too. Why do I have to protect the Counts hidden child? Isnt she your sister? Im not from Jervain. Bernard let out a sigh. However, this time he stayed stubborn. Think of it this way. Have you ever seen your teacher tell you to do something wrong? Its all going to be helpful to you, so get along with that child. What the hell is with that kid? Shes going to be important to you too. So, dont be silly and just follow what I say. Druck. Callius glanced at Bernard standing up from his chair. Are you going? Ive said everything I had to say. Bernard, grabbing the doorknob, looked back at Callius and frowned. Then he took a deep breath and shook his head. Im going. No need to see me off. I wasnt going to. One day youll be struck by lightning[2]. Keung! Bernard snorted and left the inn. It was snowing heavily outside. Cough, cough. The corners of Bernards mouth, after a few heavy coughs, became moist. Gathering some falling snow with both hands, he wiped his lips and started moving again quickly. At the places he had stood while coughing, the pure white snow was strangely dyed red. Ppuuuuuu C The sound of horns shook the North. The wandering Knights and Jervains troops, who had crossed the border, headed for the White Forest one after another. Their numbers were well above the mark. A glorious and crowded procession. It wasnt for just any reason. For today was Fatalites Wheel. It was because it was the day the hunting competition started. So, they said that if you catch a beast and bring a token of proof, you will be counted. The schedule is a week in total. Bruns rushed over and explained the rules of the competition. The duration is seven days. During that time, camping in the White Forest and hunting as many beasts as possible is what determines the winner of this competition. The honour and rewards from the Jervain family will go to the one who catches the greatest number of beasts. Honour is the ultimate pursuit of a Knight. The reward is a method of practicing divine power handed down from the Jervain family. Both are useless. Of course, neither of these rewards were very desirable for Callius. He was a Pilgrim who did not need the title of a Knight, and it had been a long time since hed learned the legendary Six Peak Flowers technique. You can get a sword too, if you want. It was Emily. She was wearing a double-edged rapier on her waist. The attire was not a fluttering dress as usual, but an outfit that was comfortable and warm. She was wearing light armour on the outside, so she still looked pretty cute. Anyway, itll probably be a sword ordered from the Church. Maybe something in the Life Sword grade. Callius pinched his nose. If thats the case, you dont even need it. If you already have two such swords, why would you need more? Id rather get some artifacts. Damn things are hard to come by. I heard that this time we have some lavish stuff. Do you want to win? I cant even think about winning. People with Jervains bloodline are automatically excluded, but nonetheless, everyone thinks that the familys successor, Callavan, is the one who will catch the most beasts. And that Callavan was aiming not just for the lives of the beasts, but also for Emily. Death while hunting a beast would be perfect. So dont die, you idiot. I dont like you enough to go erect something like a tombstone. Yeah, same here. And after a while C Whats this, whats a halfwit[3] who cant even use her spirit power doing here? Right, right? Still, you do have a Knight with you. Who are you? Dont you know that the Knights following Emily will have to get out of sight[4] when our father becomes the Lord? In front of them, not beasts, but a pair of pale gray-eyed twins were chattering. Editors Notes: [1] Since future chapters actually refer to the meaning of the name, we are changing the name to Fatalite C as in, derived from the word fatality (root Latin fatalitas), something decreed by fate. [2] ?? ?? (lit. struck by lightning) C something evil that should be punished by heaven. [3] ??? (lit. half penny) an idiot who can only use half her wits. See Namu Wiki. [4] ? ?? (lit. out of the eye) part of the idiom ? ?? ?? meaning falling out of favour. Chapter 24 Chapter 24 Kkiiiig. He passed the gates of the Jevarsch and entered the chapel. It was late at night, but there was a man in the chapel, with his back to the moonlight entering from the door. The chapels door was still open this late at night. Seok. He finally saw the man, whod turned around, face to face. Despite wearing a noble attire and an easy smile on his face, that strong physique couldnt be covered up. Bernards eyebrows twitched for a moment as if in annoyance, but only for a moment. The bosom of God is always open. But why is the next successor of Jervain here at this late hour? The man was the adopted son of Count Jervain, often mentioned as the next head of the household, whod come back from the border. Callavan von Jervain. Apart from the current Patriarch, he was the highest authority within the Jervain family. Bernard. I want you to join us on the Wheel. He said that he wanted to participate together in the upcoming hunting competition, Patalites Wheel. The breeding season was approaching, and soon there would be war against the beasts flooding in. The hunt needed to happen before that occurred. Didnt I tell you last time? Callavan. The Lord asked me to protect Jevarsch. Father is really being unkind. To keep a Paladin like you cooped up inside the castle. Even if an old man goes and wields his sword, how long can he keep it up? Id be lucky to not get swept away by the Wheel. Bernard waved his hand and laughed. However, Callavan made a sour face as if he wasnt going to give up easily. Bernard. As you know, I have to prove myself on this Patalites Wheel. And I have to show my son and daughter that they need to not be ashamed of their father. Sounds possible enough. No. It isnt. Callavan asserted. This time the Patalites Wheel will be very different from the previous ones. How can you be so sure? At Bernards question, Callavan only gave a meaningful smile. Emily. I heard you spend a lot of time with her. Shes a cute kid. Jervain is quite cruel to its own bloodline. Dont lions have a habit of dropping their cubs down a cliff? What do you want to say? Come with me. Otherwise, Emily might die on the Wheel. Are you threatening me now! No, nothing like that. How can I threaten Bernard-sama? I was just stating the truth. You dont know. Emily is a from the main branch of the family. Its true even for the collateral branch, but the main branch is even more cruel to its children. Emily von Jervain. The child, who descended from the direct blood lineage, was going to participate in Patalites Wheel. Lonely and alone[1], with nobody to rely on. She is a pitiful child. Without a mother or father, without a single person to support. Not only that, her divine blood is blocked, and yet, as Jervains direct descendant, she has to bear the Wheel Its pitiful. Bernard swallowed his saliva. Everything Callavan said was true. Emily. The child was a direct descendant of Jervain, but had no parents. Therefore, she found the envy and jealousy surrounding her within the family difficult to bear, and was in a situation where she did not know when she could be bitten by the vortex of the familys internal power struggle. Only if she had no talent. Contrary to the fact that her divine blood was blocked, her talent for swordsmanship was outstanding. The Jervain family, known as a family of master swordsmen, could not easily give up on Emily, even if her divine blood was blocked. Thats how unique Emilys talent was. But if Bernard is with me, I will keep Emily in my arms and not let her be swept away by the Wheel. Callavan, the Patriarchs successor. He had the power and ability to do what he promised. Although he hesitated a little, after a while Bernard shook his head. This must also be Gods will. Hmm Im sorry to hear that, but we still have plenty of time. If you change your mind in the meantime, please let me know. Kkiiiig, kuung. It wasnt until Callavan disappeared that Bernard clicked his tongue. Hes like a snake. Rather than a guy like that C Bernard thought of another who happened to be particularly obsessed with his sword. A few days later. [Patalites Wheel] From your destiny flows the fate of death that covers you like a shadow. Survive. [???] Hmm is this the start? As I looked at the quest inside my room, my eyes stopped for a while on the reward. Patalites Wheel. Main Quest It started as expected. The preparations are in progress. So I just need to face this calmly. It was marked with question marks, but I roughly knew the rewards. If a quest appears on the Pilgrims Path and the reward is a question mark, it implies one thing. Flexible. Compensation is flexible depending on the situation. There would be a quest completion level. From S grade, to F. The reward varies according to the level. Thanks to that, I cant be sure exactly what is going to happen, but The main storyline was conceived by me. There isnt much to take extra note of. If I can quickly turn Loas into a Spirit Sword I can become stronger than I am now, and take over Rakan from Bernard. And if I can strengthen Rakan further, then go to Dexter to unlock its potential, there will be nothing to be afraid of. What is Patalites Wheel? A quest where a swarm of demonic beasts appear, hungering for nutrients during the breeding season. Its a simple quest where you have to go into the White Forest and hunt the beasts in advance, but Wouldnt it be great if everything in the world was as simple as that? This quest is the starting point. After the North collapses, all the high-ranking nobles of Carpe scamper to sell off their own country and scarper off to the Empire. The Norths collapse becomes a signal for those bastards whove been quiet for so long, and they seize the opportunity to gang up with the Empire and devour the nation. The country was already in ruins, but the Norths collapse signifies a disastrous loss of support for Carpe. The collapse of the Jervain family in the North, the symbol of Carpe, is the harbinger of its final downfall. And what begins that spiral is the failure of this quest. Tok, tok. As the sound of a knock disturbed my thoughts, I grabbed Loas which had been by the bed. Although the sword was broken in half from the middle, Loas can regenerate like a lizards tail when fed with blood. In that respect, should I say its useful, or disgusting? Who is it? Its Bruns, master. Come in. Kkikikik. The door opened, but I did not let go of the sword. It had been quite a while since I learned the Six Peak Flowers technique, and developed sharper and more perceptive senses. The door opened and Bruns came in, somebody hiding behind him. It was impossible for me to not sense it. I, master You pathetic bastard. Bruns was crying with his hands raised. There was a girl aiming a sword behind him. What could little miss Jervain be doing in this kind of a shabby place? Emily von Jervain. A young girl with black hair and gray eyes. A child holding an old-fashioned double-edged rapier[2] as if it fit her naturally. Emily looked at me with a straight gaze and opened her mouth. Grandpa told me. That you bastard will go to the hunt with me. I see. What does that have to do with threatening my servant? Its a test. Of course, this servant that looks like a smashed potato is disqualified. Whos a smashed potato! Heeik! Bruns, who had been about to refute, raised his hand even higher at the sharp prod in the back. Youre being threatened by a kid like that How useless. I, master! Save me! I shook my head. So. Am I disqualified? Im going to test that now. How are you going to test Just as I was about to say that, Emilys rapier pierced the gap between us. Quick like the lightning. Arm outstretched. Lower body firmly stretched out to exert the maximum possible force. All of that combined to create a sharp sting that could not be expected from a child. Swiiik! Teok. Youre cheeky. I pinched the tip of Emilys rapier between my index and thumb. This level should have been enough for the bandits. If only the divine blood hadnt been blocked, that stab would been something unsurpassable at that age. You have talent. She was a smart and clever child, but she also had an extreme talent in swordsmanship. She wasnt any worse than ordinary Knights who didnt have divine power. So says the scapegrace! In that instant, Emilys form seemed to disappear. Better than Bruns. As soon as her sword was caught, Emily released it and turned her body to land a roundhouse kick at my temple. It was an amazing demonstration of agility and jumping ability. Teok! However, no matter how much she had trained his body, she was still a child. Her strength did not surpass that gap. I lightly grabbed Emilys foot with my left hand and lifted it up, and threw the blushing child away. Thud C! You cheeky C! Its not me whos cheeky, its you. Did you try to test me with just that level of skill? Was that too much? Why are you so sad, that Im seeing those fat teardrops again? Am I the one in the wrong? Yeah, you kind of are. No, no. This is not my fault. This is your fault. Why is it my fault!? You brought her with you. Then Ill go. Ill go bring you two some tea. So youre running away? Bruns ran away, and there was silence in the room. Also, children were annoying. A suffocating silence ensued. After a while. Emily, who secretly wiped the corners of her eyes, said as she sat on the bed pretending to be okay. Fine. Its alright for a scapegrace. Ill allow you to accompany me. It doesnt depend on you allowing it. Im doing it at Bernards request, not because youre cute or something. Hey, I dont want to be escorted by a nanny either. Then you go tell Bernard. That you dont need an escort. But for some reason, Emily didnt open her mouth any further. Why did Bernard ask Emily to participate in the Patalites Wheel anyway? Lets just say no now. No. Theres no way thats going to work. Then, what is the reason? As I pondered slowly, the answer came unexpectedly easy. Are you being bullied by others in the family? Jervains children are considered adults when they turn 12. Its not that they suddenly start being considered as an adult, but by hunting the northern beasts, they announce that they have become adults. Those who inherit the blood of Jervain must learn how to hunt monsters when they reach the age of 12. To prove themselves in that crucible. For Jervain, hunting beasts is an important matter that can be called a long-cherished dream. The same goes for Emily. However, Jervain is not crazy enough to push a 12-year-old child into the White Forest alone. With so many magical beasts there, how could they dare do such a dangerous thing? The principle is to attach the Knights of the family and organize a kind of party to act. Of course, it is natural that there is a difference in power even within the family, so if you dont have your own influence, the combat power you can gather is less. It depends on the number of vassals following you. The number of Knights is bound to be small. And maybe for Emily It is clear that she would have even fewer Knights than that. Otherwise, Bernard, who clearly knew who I was, would have never made me do this. As if trying to stab me again, Emilys eyes started a little sharply at me. Theyre all just scared of me. Im pretty, smart, and Im good at swordsmanship. So thats the answer. You dont have parents? I must prove myself in this hunting contest, otherwise I will be killed. Wait, what. Killed. What do you mean? The man who will be the next head. Callavan von Jervain, will kill me. Are you talking about that collateral branch who was adopted? Yeah. Why will the man who will become the next head kill you? Its not like youve inherited the bloodline of the main branch. As I said that, Emily shut her mouth tightly. Are you a direct descendant? Emily nodded her head. Callius brows narrowed. As far as he knew, there were two direct descendants of the current Patriarch. Callius, who had been expelled from the family. And Callius sister, Elysse von Jervain. Is she Elysses daughter? But that wasnt possible. Callius younger sister, Elysse, was already not in the Jervains domain, and it was unlikely that she would have had a child. Then all that was left was Callius. I am twenty-six years old. Then I would have had to have an accident when I was only 14 years old. That doesnt make a lick of sense. No way. Then theres only one possibility left. Are you the Counts child? Emily, who had turned her head as if she was sulking, nodded quietly. Editors Notes: [1] ???? (lit. single blood) means someone alone and with nobody to rely on. [2] ?? (lit. three sword) is similar to a rapier with both edges, so thats how we are translating this. Chapter 26 Ppuuuuuu C Fatalites Wheel. The sound of horns, heralding the start of the hunting competition, shook the North. Emily and I. And Bruns, as well as Emilys two servants. The five of us headed to the White Forest. The beginning was smooth. We borrowed a sled to load food and camping gear, which was pulled together by Bruns and Emilys attendants. I was on the sleigh. Master. Its too heavy Its for your training. Isnt it just because you dont want to walk? His eyes were full of doubt, but I shook my head. Im just widening my senses and looking for the beasts locations. Dont be so suspicious and just pull the sled. Yeah. There was still a lot of doubt in his shitty eyes, but Bruns couldnt say anything more. And I was, in point of fact, speaking the truth. Although, it was possible to find the signs even without sitting on the sled. Really? Really. It wasnt a lie. My aura sense[1], which had sharpened under the influence of Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season, easily found the presences of the demonic beasts. And every time I found their locations, I directed the party to the opposite side. Really? But why arent any of the beasts coming out? They ran away. The job Bernard asked me to do was to protect Emily, not to hunt the beasts. Unlike the kid sitting in front of me, I had a subtly different purpose, and I had to carry out my duties in a way that didnt bother me. In a few days, well find out whats going on. Right now, there was no need to spend our strength hunting for beasts. So, what to do now? One. Prepare for danger. Two. Practice. I sat on the sled and polished the bud of Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season in my Elixir Field. The first bud had been slowly approaching the state of perfection. The divine power imbued in the first peak and its purity grew day by day. But now, both the size and purity had reached their limits. The time had come. A new path had to be carved out to make a second peak (). Of course, it had to be made with a larger and more delicate bud than the first peak, and the amount of divine power and purity needed to double. It took several years to achieve the first peak, but that didnt seem to be the case for the second. It didnt seem like it would take long to achieve a second peak because of the momentum. Is it still difficult to achieve in a short time? Id already made one bud in my Elixir Field, but if I tried to make another next to it, it somehow scattered every time. Felt like it could not coalesce properly after the power was gathered. Strangely, the same process for the first peak didnt work for the second. As if the first peaks very existence interferes with making another one. Am I in too much of a hurry? That might be the reason. My spirit quality is only at level 4. This may simply not meet the quality required to achieve a second peak. As I thought about it, my eyes naturally turned to the bracelet. [Vivis Bracelet] Grade C Epic. Bracelet given to you by an elf living in the Shaking Forest. Minimizes divine power usage and saves the reduced divine power. Stored Divine Power: 37556. Itd been a little over a month since I last loosened the bracelet, but that was about it. Originally the stored power was more than this. However, as time passes, the divine power contained in the bracelet fluctuates wildly, increasing and decreasing in turn. Because of the issue of purity. Vivis Bracelet circulates its collected spiritual energy by itself, and in the process, a lot of impure spiritual energy is expelled. So, even after a lot of time has passed, the gathered divine power is only at this level, but the quality has improved instead. If I take this off, I might be able to open a second peak. But thats just a guess. Its a bit embarrassing to test. Fatalites Wheel. I dont know whats going to happen this time. And, of course, in addition to the bracelet, theres also the sacred stone. Whenever I have some spare time, I take out the sacred stone and feel the Saints divine power imbued within, so if I just give it a little time, I should be able to make some progress in the Six Peak Flowers technique. [Fatalites Wheel] The shadow of death emanating from fate covers you like a shroud. Survive. Fatalite. Referring to, an inescapable inevitability decreed by fate. In the Northern White Forest, the word fatality is more appropriate than fate, or destiny. In addition, there are a total of two tribes here for whom the word fatality is appropriate. One is Jervain. Another one is across the White Forest. At the edge of the North Whats this, whats a halfwit who cant even use her spirit power doing here? Right, right? Still, you do have a Knight with you. Who are you? Dont you know that the Knights following Emily will have to get out of sight when our father becomes the Lord? In front of us, not beasts, but a pair of pale gray-eyed twins were chattering. Rivan, Rinney. Emilys eyes, who had been looking anxious about why she couldnt find the beasts, turned cold. Rivan and Rinney. They were fraternal twins with dark hair and gray eyes, similar faces but different sexes. These are the children of Callavan, who people think will be the next Patriarch. Right. One of Emilys attendants came up to me and whispered. Im not really curious, so why are you telling me? Taking a peek, the servants expressions werent that good either. Why? Haha! Rinney! Look at Emilys attendants. You dont have any tokens with you, so you havent even managed to catch a single beast so far? Is that true? Really, Emily? You havent caught a single one in this White Forest teeming with beasts? Or maybe you didnt have time to catch one because you were busy running away? Hahaha! Actually, itd be strange if Emily the halfwit did catch one. Those impolite kids just kept chattering. The twins Rivan and Rinney are feuding with Miss Emily. Without me even asking, Emilys maid with brown hair whispered beside me. Judging from the tone of voice and her facial expression, it seemed that the attendants didnt like them either. Of course, I had nothing to do with it, so I just watched. Orphin is there too. Orphin, one of the Knight-Captains, seemed to be escorting the twins. She glanced at me and bowed slightly. Last time you tried to kill me; did you change your mind a bit? Or is this the bare minimum courtesy? But this is still pretty good. Would you like to see the game we caught? Who spoke was that girl with the ponytail, Rinney von Jervain. Next to her was the naughty-looking boy, Rivan von Jervain. They looked to be about fourteen years old. No, I dont need to. Because, you see? Dont you have to know what the beasts look like before you can catch them? Rinnie and Rivan took Emilys hands and showed her what she didnt want to see. The proof of catching a beast is its nose and ears. Or you can simply cut their head off, so Rivan and Rinney had cut the beasts head and put it on a dedicated cart. Voila! How is it! Isnt it great? We had a hard time catching it, you know? It was so fast that I almost got eaten in one bite. The head of the beast on the cart was quite huge. It was a wolf beast with strong jawbones and sharp fangs, big enough to swallow Emily in one gulp. Youll never catch something like this, right? Itd be great if you dont pee your trousers because youll freeze the moment you meet one, right, Rinney? Youre right. Even I froze for a moment and couldnt move. Emily, if it were you, you would have definitely peed. Seeing Emilys rotten expression, the twins looked thrilled. But Emilys reaction was no fun at all, so the twins eyes soon turned to me. But who are you? A wandering Knight? Rivan and Rinney asked, but I did not care to answer. There were many reasons for not answering, but the reason that accounted for the largest percentage was because of annoyance. Whatever the status of these little Jervain kids, whatever the circumstances, I basically didnt like little children. Besides, these cheeky little noble types, especially. Oikophobia? Hating my own kind? That might be it. Ironically, the trait of a fool is to recognize others who are the same type of fool. Emily, your follower is so cocky? He doesnt even answer our questions! Thats right. How cheeky. Perhaps the childs patience was not as long as I thought, because Rivan drew the sword from his waist first. A longsword suitable for children. Did you catch a beast with a sword like that? Without a drop of blood on your clothes? The twins faces contorted as I laughed out loud. Are you kidding me? Is that bastard laughing at my sword now? My brothers honour has been tarnished. Youre in big trouble now. Even a child has honour now? What kind of honour do they have, exactly? There was nothing for it but laughter. Come down from there. Are you looking down on us when youre a mere wandering Knight? Thats right. You came to the North to get a job? But you ended up escorting Emily. Its so stupid. Theres no way youll get any benefits escorting a child who has nothing Are you stupid? Emily was quiet. She was looking at Callius, just to see what he would do. Bruns, who should have already stepped forward and made a loud ruckus by now, was also quiet. Callius was hiding his identity and was in charge of the escort, so Bruns was forcefully putting up with his itchy mouth. Reluctantly, Callius got off the cart and stood in front of Rivan. You cheeky bastard. You have to pay for the crime of ruining my honour! He was a pretty aggressive kid. Perhaps it was his trust in Orphin and the Knights behind them that made him act so frivolous. Besides, he must have been used to recklessly swinging his sword with his identity and Jervains name behind his back. Callius clicked his tongue, pulled something out of his pocket and held it out. A fork? It was his favourite fork. Fuck! Hey! Are you insulting me?! Emily turned her head as if she couldnt contain a burst of laughter, and Rivan screamed in outrage, thinking he was being insulted. I dont have anything smaller. You dare to insult Jervains Rivan, and you think you will survive? Brother! Show us what you got! You have to win! Okay. If youre mocking me with something like that, you should be prepared to lose an arm! Rivans sword swung. Hmm. He raised his physical ability with the divine power he had cherished since childhood, and maximized its efficiency with Jervains divine power training method. Thanks to that, Rivans sword showed something different from the movements of a child. A swordsmans poise, perhaps. Strength. Speed. And the divine power, too, all were beyond that of a child. The heavy sword[2] style unique to Jervain, nimble yet heavy. While stepping lightly. Rivan was wielding a sword that felt so heavy. That arm, Ill take it! Callius arm. There was only a fork in his hand. Rivan had no doubt that his sword would cut off the mans arm. The moment the sword came into contact with the fork C Whiiiik! Gigiiik! Uh? Chaeeng C!! When he came to his senses, Rivan found himself lying down on the snow. Startled, he jumped up. Whiiiik C puk! His broken sword flew through the air, crashing to the ground. What. The man stood still, holding that fork in front of him. Callius spoke, looking down at Rivan with a calm gaze. Yeah, youre still a kid. Editors Notes: [1] ?? (lit. energy sense) is being translated as aura sense. [2] ?? (lit. Heavy Sword) C in Korean martial arts, you see three types of sword arts; heavy sword, quick sword (??), magic/phantom sword (??). In chapter 16, Esther used one of the other styles, a quick sword. The same name for the third style is also used for the sword grade Vision Sword, so later chapters will be fun to edit (sic). Chapter 27 Chapter 27 The Jervain twins. The children of Callavan, who will become the core powerhouses of the next generation. Orphin, assigned to escort Rivan and Rinney, had recently been struggling with the thoughts of someone branded into her memory, even while she was busy hunting the beasts. That someone was Callius von Jervain. He appeared suddenly, and disappeared suddenly as well. More precisely, that swordsmanship, from one who had abandoned the name of Jervain and become a Pilgrim. That swordsmanship never left her thoughts, and was a constant source of torment. Silver Flower Wave Sword. That sword she had seen at that time, even if only for a moment, was still clear in her minds eye. Silver Flower Wave Sword. It was similar to the Silver Flower Wave Sword wielded by Saint Stella in the legends. There was no room for doubt. Because there was only one swordsmanship in the world that broke the opponents swordsmanship and transformed the energy into silver petals. How could a scapegrace wield that sword? Besides, that sword C No matter how great a sword art may be, if the skill of the one performing it is poor, it ends up mediocre. But that wasnt the case for Callius. He had the strength worthy of that swordsmanship. And right now C Orphin saw Callius holding the fork, and was convinced. He mustve hidden himself on purpose. No matter how immature Rivans swordsmanship is, it cannot be written off as just a sword with some divine power behind it. He is a descendant of the bloodline of Jervain. Manipulation of divine power, and Jervains unique sword art. All of that was incorporated into his swordsmanship. To beat that with a fork? Utter nonsense. Yet Callius managed it. And on top of that C To break a sword with a fork. Callius easily blocked Rivans sword with his fork, slid the sword between them from that point of contact, and then broke it with a snap of his wrist. It showed his strong power and immaculate skill. And it is was something that definitely could not be achieved without very precise and skilled manipulation of spiritual power. Why She didnt know why, even with that level of skill, the emanations of his divine power felt so weak. From Orphins point of view, Callius should have been one of the strongest swordsmen in the North. At least thats how she saw it. My, my sword No, how could a fork or whatever break the sword I got from my father This, this . Rivan looked like he was in a panic. Although from the collateral branch, he was born in a famous swordsmanship family; and yet his sword, which he was proud of, was broken by a mere fork, so how could he not? It would be a tall order for even an adult to endure the current situation, but Rivan was only a 14-year-old kid. Its a special sword that my father gave me, but that, a fork He couldnt stabilize his emotions at all. He looked alternately at the fork Callius was holding and his broken sword, and then bit his lip. Damn it!! What are you all gawking at, just standing around!! Rivans voice, full of anger, woke up the Knights who had been watching the scene with admiration. Sreung! Five Knights drew their swords. Orphin had been contemplating what to do, but now she had no choice but to draw her sword as well. Can I do it? Would a mere half-dozen Knights be an opponent for one who has mastered Stellas sword? Orphin bit her lip. Now get him down on his knees and bring him to me!! To insult me ??is the same as insulting Jervain! Hmm. Callius started at the Knights approaching him with a blank face. This little boor[1] is so annoying, but what can you do? This was business as usual for aristocrats. Callius glanced at the approaching Knights and put Emily behind him. The girl was holding her stomach, sniffling as if shed seen a funny show. Now youll have to see blood at the climax. Stop. A low, heavy voice made the Knights stop in their tracks. Soon, the snow-covered bushes swayed and sprinkled snow, and a good-looking man appeared from between them. As soon as they saw his face, the Knights bowed their heads in surprise. He was Jervains successor. Adopted son of Count Jervain. And, Rivan and Rinneys father. It was Callavan von Jervain. Ah, father!! Father! As soon as Rivan and Rinney saw Callavan, they ran to him with wide smiles. However, they had no choice but to stop, because the sword Callavan was holding was soaked in the blood of demonic beasts. Father! He insulted me! Thats right! He insulted brother! He broke brothers sword with a fork! How could you do that? Thats amazing! Brothers sword is so sharp, and it broke like kindling! If he doesnt kneel, Jervains honour will be besmirched. Rivan scrambled to say something like that, repeating like a parrot the phrase that who knew whether was a curse or a compliment. Callavan wiped the blood off his sword and asked Orphin. Whats going on? That is. After a while. Hearing about the course of events, Callavan looked at Callius with curious eyes. And then proposed. Will you swear allegiance to me? Ah, father thats, what Im a person who puts talent above anything else. I dont know what youre looking for or why you got involved with the Wheel, but whatever you wish for, I can make it happen. I have that power. Everyone was surprised by Callavans sudden suggestion. Emily was the same. Ca-, Master Callavan. Emily moved to stand in front of Callius in surprise, and opened her arms as if trying to ward Callavan off. An attitude like screaming, never! Emily. Callavan looked at Emily and narrowed his eyes. He is my escort. Emily. Im sorry to tell you, but the choice is not ours. If you have any pride as a swordsman, you should respect his choice. Ignoring Emily, who was hesitating and speechless, Callavan turned to Callius who was still wearing his hood. Even if my sons sword was held by a child, it wasnt something to be broken by a fork. So, if it was a fork that broke the sword C No, there was no need to see more of Callius skills. Its sudden. There is nothing sudden. If you want fame, you will have to swear allegiance to me, who will become the next head of the family. If you want success, you will have to follow me even more. Isnt that right? There was nothing wrong in what he said. The adopted son of the present Jervain Patriarch. The Counts successor. On top of that, his swordsmanship skills were excellent and his leadership skills were exceptional. He was a caring father to his children, and had a broad enough heart to hold the loyalty of his Knights. If it had been an ordinary wandering Knight, no matter how much Emily tried, it would not have been easy to refuse his offer. I refuse. But that wasnt the case for Callius. As if he didnt expect to be refused so curtly, Callavans expression distorted monetarily, but then it again returned to a soft smile. Can you tell me why? I seek neither fame nor success. Because they are not necessary. Looking at Callius retreating back, Callavan asked again. Then what do you want? Sword. A stronger sword. Saying so, he led Emily and her attendants away. Looking at his back disappearing into the woods, Callavan licked his dry lips. Ah, father. He insulted me Rivan. I dont know what kind of honour youve lost, but this time, youll have to endure it. Why. That man is not a Knight. Then what is he? A stronger sword. It has only one meaning. Callavan said, stroking the hair of his son who had questioned with innocent eyes. Perhaps, a Pilgrim. Tadak, tadak. Even the bustling White Forest had become quiet by the time moonlight fell. Around a small bonfire, Callius and his companions sat and rested after a brief refreshment. Why did you do that? Sighing, Callius looked at Emily, whose eyes were fixed on the bonfire. What do you mean? The fork. You didnt have to do that to Rivan. She was asking about what happened before. Callius thought for a moment, then threw a piece of wood into the bonfire. The level of that kid was about perfect for a fork. Thats all? Thats it. A lie. Rivan and Rinney. The twos tendencies were well known to Callius. The two were notorious as Jervains little terrors when they were young, but given a few opportunities, they will come to their senses and become great Knights. There was one such route. I know because I created several possible routes. Besides, Rivan and Rinney were meaner than Id thought, and I didnt like how they were behaving. So I deliberately touched Rivans pride, and ended up breaking his sword. With a fork. Id honestly been uncertain if it would be possible. However, the fork, under the influence of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art, brilliantly broke Rivans sword, and also broke his arrogant pride. I dont know if hell wake up with just this or not Although there will be more opportunities in the future. Otherwise, itll be difficult. Now that the Fatalites Wheel quest has appeared, even if its only a childs sword, the North will need it. Thank you. Thanks to you, I felt refreshed. Emily, who imitated Callius and threw another piece of kindling into the fire, got up and went into her sleeping bag. Callius looked at Emily with strange eyes, and then pulled out Loas. Have you regrown a little? Loas, which had been broken in half, had regrown a little after Callius entered the White Forest and hunted a few beasts there. Not as fast as a lizards tail, but the rate of regeneration was still quite strange. [Predator Sword C Loas] Grade C Life Sword. Inhabited Soul C A mixed soul. Unique Ability C Predation. Predation Count C 723. When the bandits were wiped out, it was close to five hundred. The number of beasts hed occasionally hunted in the North while scouring the White Forest for Bernard exceeded two hundred. If you catch roughly just three hundred more, the rank of Loas will go up, so its a smooth journey so far. When Fatalites Wheel turns in earnest, this three hundred or so number will be nothing to talk about. It is only a matter of time before Loas rises to the rank of Spirit Sword. That way, even if you fight with Rakan, it wont break or degrade easily, so itll be worth trying. By the way Callius eyes gleamed sharply as he looked around. Tak, tadak. All he could hear was the sound of the bonfire. The forest was exceptionally quiet. Strangely, nothing was captured in his aura sense. Most of the beasts in the White Forest were nocturnal, but they were being so quiet, wasnt it suspicious? Feels like something beyond my perception, slithering around. Clouds were slowly covering the moon overhead. As the round full moon was obscured, the whole area was dyed in darkness, insulting the given name of the White Forest. Then, a foul odour hit the tip of his nose. At the same time, the forest shook. Ripples of energy were spreading out. When the clouds lifted again, and the pale moonlight once again illuminated the surroundings C A huge axe, dripping blood, was before his eyes. The large arms holding it, and the green skin engraved with primitive tattoos. One of the Sons of the Axe God, riding on the back of a giant beast. Was looking down at him. [The chain of fate coils around you.] [Survive the fate of death.] They have many names. The fabled demon tribe that are sometimes called Barbarians, Greenskins, Magicborn[2], or even Witch Beasts. Non-human beings who live beyond the White Forests northern edge. Primitive and savage, a tribe of warriors unafraid of death. With an axe in hand, those warriors cry out the name of their God and seek a worthy death on the battlefield. But a more accurate name for them is C Orc. A barbarian race from the North, whose battles with Jervain have stretched across the White Forest for centuries. It was an Orc. Editors Notes: [1] ??? (lit. horsefly) C somebody who speaks rudely. [2] ?? (ma-in) is the same as Loas, which we defined as a Chimera. However, here the combination magic + person is a bit more specific from context, so we are translating it as Magicborn (changed from Devilman). Since Loas was created as a more mixed being, we thought Chimera was more suitable to describe it, but not appropriate here. Contrast ?? (ag-ma) which will be translated as Demon. Chapter 28 Chapter 28 The forest became noisy very quickly. Mountain birds that had been sleeping under the dark cover of night began crying, and accompanying it, echoed a mixture of mens shouts and the shrieking of beasts. At the centre of it all C ݧ ҧݧէ. A red glare. Muscles with bulging veins at the surface. A giant green-skinned form, over two meters tall. The Orc Warrior looked down at Callius from atop his mount and spoke in an unknown language. His breath left a long stream of pure white in the air. ?? ? ֧ ԧ ҧݧѧԧ, ??֧ԧ֧. A voice like a piece of wood being scraped with a sword. Those low, harsh syllables sounded one after another. ?ڧ ҧ֧٧ߧ? ԧ ܧ ҧݧѧѧ. Master what is that guy saying? Lets fight. It was a language he didnt understand at all. Even so, Callius ears could hear the intent buried within the words. Perhaps because of [Bards Blessing], he was able to intuit their general meaning from the pitch of the voice and the pattern of breathing. They went something like this: The Wheel turns. Fight me, if you are also a warrior. This land shall be our battlefield. Despite the plain delivery, the meaning was conveyed clearly and with certainty. Kuung C! The Orc jumped off the beasts back, and made a hacking motion with the axe he was holding in his hands. Whiiiik C puk! Ahhhhhhh! His hands blurred as he threw the axe. Almost instantaneously, it struck one of Emilys attendants. The force behind the throw was so strong that a popping sound hit the onlookers eardrums. Fast. It was no lie that an Orc Warriors strength could equal five human conscripts, and their axes were powerful enough to kill three men at once. OOH!! The Orc Warrior jumped. With a powerful thrust from his legs, that giant form jumped high into the sky and grabbed the axe again with both hands. Two blades jutted out from the axes spine, and he raised it high. That huge double-edged axe C He slammed it down atop Callius head as if aiming to split him in two. Kwaaaaang C!! Keuk. Callius, who immediately used his sword to parry and turned to evade that great axe, saw the nearby bonfire suddenly burst into a flash of bright red. That dazzling brightness, which illuminated the burning eyes of the Orc Warrior for a moment, quickly faded as the fire was savagely trampled on. Oh, you bastard!! Why are there Orcs here!? They This isnt the time to ask questions. Bruns. Yes! Yeah! Master!! Take Emily and run. I, master! What he wants is a battle. A life-threatening battle. A strong enough enemy C that was what Callius represented to the Orc Warrior. I cant leave you here alone! Emily! You must come with us now! Damn it, Callius!! Let go of me! Emily shook off the servants grasp and hurried over. With a solemn expression, she pulled out her sword and stood next to Callius. Youll only be a hindrance. The Orcs are raiding all over the White Forest, anyway. I know what this is. I am not a child. I am a Jervain. So thats your final decision? Im going to face the beast. Well all die anyway If you lose. Well, thats not wrong. The Wheel has already turned. Orcs will spread throughout the White Forest and fight the Knights. Even if Bruns and the attendant still alive somehow manage to run away with Emily, they will not be able to overcome the mobility advantage of the Orcs riding demonic beasts, so escape was hopeless that way. ?ڧ ҧ֧٧ߧ? ԧ ܧ ҧݧѧѧ. This land shall be our battlefield. You talk too much. What? The Orc was acknowledging Emilys spirit, that she was a warrior despite being so young, but that pride carried with it a high price. In the end, it meant she would be killed. Callius drew his sword. A sword with holes in its blade. Predator Sword C Loas. ݧާݧ ܧݧ!! Is that magic!! Come find out. The opponent became furious at the sight of Loas. Possibly because it was a magic sword. Emily. Yeah. Dont act first. If you can, watch quietly like a mouse. Unlike me You have talent. Taas C! Kwaaaaang C! Emily staggered at the booming shockwave of a sword and an axe colliding. However, that was not the end. A series of sweeping sword attacks followed. Callius sword appeared like dozens instead of one, and the Orcs axe that opposed it was the same. As they struck each other, shockwaves kept erupting and the continuous noise rattled her body. However, Emily, even when she stumbled, did not once take her eyes off the duel. The young Jervain opened her eyes wide as if engraving every single detail into her mind. Those young gray eyes did not once lose sight of the violent battle, nor of the petals dancing in the air. Kwajik! Orphin, after crushing a beasts head by trampling on it, wiped the blood off her sword. Looking to the side, she saw Callavan observing his bracelet and occasionally touching it with his index finger. Each time, the bracelet sparkled. As if it was a signal. Orphins eyes narrowed for a moment. Master Callavan. Um, Orphin. Hows the situation? We have to evade, and quickly. I told you the beasts were behaving strangely, but its actually an attack by the Orcs. Attack by the Orcs. This was an unusual omen. Historically, they werent usually the type to use such a large-scale tactic for launching a surprise attack. Above all, why make a pre-emptive attack in such haste? It couldnt be ignored. They had to return to the castle immediately to report the truth, then start a counterattack across the whole front. Only such immediate action could restore the spirit and status of the North. Well, true enough. But for some reason, Callavans expression was still calm. As the successor of Jervains bloodline, he should have been furious at the Orcs. Many of the Knights hunting the beasts in the White Forest died due to the attack, and those who remained were still fighting. Even as this conversation continued, the blood of the North was dying the snow red. Why are you Even then, why are you so calm? Not only calm, Orphin thought he even looked relaxed. I think you should give the order to evacuate and return to the castle. Why? The situation is strange. The appearance of Orcs at this time is quite suspicious. Orcs had never appeared during the hunting contest when the forest was noisy. Even if they did, it was just one or two, those with a strong lust for battle and victory. It could be safely said that this was the first strategic surprise attack on their part. Hmm. Callavan kept looking at the bracelet for a long time. To be precise, at a strange jewel embedded in the middle of the bracelet. Artifact to contact the Count? However, Orphins thoughts came to a halt as Callavan spoke. First of all, were leaving the forest. So were retreating to the castle No, not to the castle. Well be taking shelter somewhere else for a while. The current situation is abnormal, and its not clear what their purpose is. Its unknown if this surprise attack is a one-off, or if theyve planned for a long battle. It wont too late to move once we gather more information. Then Jervain remains in Jevarsch. You dont have to worry about it, Orphin. However! Puk! Callavan kicked Orphin in the shin. Ouch! Its a wartime situation right now. I, the next head of Jervain, have the ultimate authority in the field. Disobedience of orders will be immediately punished. Orphin didnt speak anymore. She just pretended not to hear the sound of the bracelet Callavan was wearing, vibrating at regular intervals. Kkigigigigig! Kwaaaaang! ???ݧ??!! How fun!! Youre like a wild boar. The attack pattern was infinitely monotonous. However, each mighty blow shook the earth, and rattled Callius bones. In addition to the natural physical qualities, that reckless disregard to not avoid attacks at all, made the opponent difficult to deal with for Callius. Silver Flower Wave Sword. The sword art used the styles of the quick sword and the phantom sword. A fast sword focused on speed, and a sword that deceived its opponents with dazzling technique. In the first place, the Silver Flower Wave Sword itself was naturally a swordsmanship that was created to deal with stronger opponents. However, Callius realized the moment he faced the Orc. Not very compatible. It didnt work well against these guys. The reason lay in their temperament. Orcs are berserkers by their very nature, and they are never afraid of being struck by the enemys sword. Unafraid of death, their instincts focus only on killing their opponents with one swing of an axe. A fighting method that cares not a jot for your own life. This is why they are called savage barbarians. So, Callius was a little troubled. The axe was comparable in grade to the Predator Sword C Loas, and the skill of the wielder was enough to stand proud among the Orc Warriors. The technique looked flawless even in just this brief battle, and to strike those dense muscles felt like kicking a stone. Orc. In other novels and games, they were treated as trash mobs, but this was not at all the case in the Pilgrims Path. Warriors with physical abilities and pride superior to humans. A heteromorph race that wanders the battlefield like deathless immortals in service to the Axe God, Kun-Ta. Such were the Orcs. Ugh! Chaeeng! Chiiiiiig! Callius, as he was being pushed back, shrugged and retreated. I cant let the fight draw out. Even if they were in the middle of a fight right now, other Orcs might arrive any time. Time was not on his side. He had to win the duel in a flash. The Six Peak Flowers technique was blooming in his Elixir Field. As the first peak unfolded like a rising sun, the pure divine power spread throughout his body. With each step, his momentum accelerated. Taat! Taat! Paang! ?ݧ??!! Die!! The Orc Warriors axe hacked down overhead, accompanied by a joyous roar. Naturally, Callius also drew Loas and unleashed a single sword strike. Kwaaaaang C! The Orc Warriors axe struck Loas down. Even so, a flash of embarrassment spread on the face that had been smiling full of joy. Loas was only the bait. In Callius left hand, Life Sword C Lucen was held in reverse. Chwaaaak! Leaving Loas to drop to the ground, Callius swung Lucen and cut off one of his opponents legs. Then the sword straightened and arrived at the Orcs neck. ާܧ. Great. There was no fear in the eyes of the Orc who said so. All there was, was regret. You too. Seuk. Callius stretched out his hand against the fallen Orcs carcass. However, only for a while. His gaze stopped in the air. [Fatalites Wheel] Avoid the fate of death that flows from your destiny. Survive. Stop the attack of the Orcs. Number of Orcs killed: 1 ??? [F]-??? It doesnt change if you catch just one. It was pretty hard, though. Callius looked at the Orc Warriors corpse, reached out his hand again, but then retracted it. I need to save my energy. No matter how powerful the bracelet is, you never know what will happen. Theres nothing wrong with being careful. And the swords I have are enough. Damn! Dont be so uppity! Callius, who had been sheathing Lucen and Loas, stopped. I dont have the time to rest. The beast tamed by the Orc Warrior was roaring, baring its teeth. Callius, raising Loas again, moved towards Emily, who had been confronting the beast. Kuuung C! After defeating the beast without too much difficulty, the quest window changed. Number of Orcs killed: 1 Number of beasts killed: 1 ??? The count of the beasts caught was also being measured. From now on, every single action he would take inside the forest would be taken into account for determining the final grade of the quest. Damn. What is that swordsmanship? You dont need to know. Ignoring her cheeks bulged in a pout, Callius slowly expanded his aura sense by operating a peak flower. Its dangerous, but You need to fight, as much as possible. If you dont, some useless reward will come out. This quest will only ever come once. There are many ways to increase the reward level, but the easiest and most efficient way C You cant just miss this opportunity. Having made up his mind, Callius walked straight into the woods. Ma-, master! Where are you going! Where are you going! Are you crazy!? Why are you going! If you want to die, go die alone! It sounded as if he was walking towards his own death, but he did not stop. He walked towards the source of the screams as if natural. They treat you like the worst trash of all nobles, and youre going to save them!? Callius stopped at that and said to Emily, who was looking angry for some reason. Im not a noble. He could do anything for his sword. Im just a Pilgrim. Editors Notes: The Orcs words are usually not translated in the raws, but we have added a translation for the readers. Mostly they speak Kyrgyz/Tatar. Who knows if kicking people on the shin is a Jervain habit? Callius, then Callavan poor Orphin. Chapter 29 Chapter 29 Shit, damn it!! Kaaang!! Kwaang C! You bastard! Calm down! I dont want to fight you, fuck! ѧ?! Dont run away! What are you even saying, you bastard! Aaron, a giant Knight wielding a greatsword, felt like he was about to die. First, he was caught by a crazy old man, then he almost died fighting with some random guy, and he even lost his armour, then once he entered the forest and was wrestling with a beast, suddenly the Orcs attacked! Die! Die! Die damn it! Kwang! Kwang! Kwang! The sword and the axe collided non-stop. However, the situation was completely different compared to how it seemed from the outside. Unlike the Orc, who was carefully blocking Aarons attacks, he was very nervous because any of the other Orcs or beasts present could attack anytime and from anywhere. Perhaps because of that C Taeaeeng! Aaaaaaaaah! He lost his his sword, and the bastards blue-edged axe ripped through his chest. Although the wound was shallow, Aaron foresaw his own death. Losing your sword in a life-and-death duel means your end is already determined. That green monster wont wait for him to grab his sword. Damn it! Aaron, closing his eyes tightly, fell to the ground in an unsightly heap. However, for some reason, that axe did not pierce into his body. He wondered what was going on. Gulululug. He could hear the sound of blood pouring out. When he opened his eyes in surprise, he saw a hideous sword bristling serrated teeth, pierced through the heart of the Orc. Teoss. Behind the fallen Orc, jet-black hair and gray eyes were reflected in Aarons eyes. Um? You You! Bastard, you ruined my armour!! Jervain. The same Jervain hed seen at the inn. Bastard? Ah, I meant my lifesaver! Thank you! Thank you!! Youre like an angel!! As Aaron lowered his head, Callius cold eyes turned to another direction. As he hurried on, he kept stabbing Orcs from behind who had been facing the other Knights. No, he was just looking for the Knights. Aaron tilted his head, but he couldnt afford to ponder on it. Because living was more important right now. Bruns! This guy here is hurt! Yep! Bruns is coming! Um? You have I seen you somewhere? Aaron bowed his head quickly. I dont know ugh, it hurts so much. Oh, Ill stop the bleeding. Fortunately, Bruns didnt seem to remember the face of the one whod punched him into unconsciousness. Feeling lucky at that fact, Aaron asked about the Jervain who was relentlessly attacking the Orcs. Who is he? He is a noble among nobles, a man among men, and not satisfied with just that, he became a Pilgrim! Although an iron-blooded swordsman, he still has warmth in his heart No, I mean his name! If you ask that, hes Callius von Jervain! Callius von Jervain! Im Emily von Jervain. You, your wounds are so shallow, so get up and grab your sword again. And fight alongside that bastard. He saved your life, so even if you die, dont let him die. . If it werent for Callius, youd be dead! You had no chance to live! Thats true, but Even that bastard is saving others and killing the Orcs without caring about his own life! Youre bigger than him! Youre bigger! Aaron eventually bit the bullet[1], hauling up his aching body and chasing after that fluttering red cloak. A smile spread across Emilys lips as she looked at his back. The number of Knights following Callius was increasing. When he first ran towards the Orcs, she thought he was really crazy, but he was saving lives by easily killing the Orcs fighting the Knights. It must have been be difficult for him too. He was looking for Knights to save, even though he never knew when and where the Orcs might appear to kill him. Thank God. She didnt know what she was praying for, but thats how he felt. Nia. Yes, Lady. Do you think Callius will be alright? There were Knights by his side. None of them were uninjured, but nonetheless, they followed Callius with their wounded bodies. Most of them were idiots, but the fact that they survived the Orcs axes, even if only for a little while, was proof of their worth. Hell be fine. Despite all his rumours demeaning him, hes still a Jervain. And The attendant named Nia looked at Emily with a bitter look. Hes Ladys Enough. A scapegrace is just a scapegrace. Im just worried about him not getting hurt, so we can survive. Thats all. Nia looked at Emily, who was trying to turn her face away, with sad eyes. There really was no point in saving him. It was the guy whod interrupted my meal at the inn. A rash Knight who believed only in his size and power. If I had known it was this bastard, I wouldnt have bothered saving him. Callius clicked his tongue. Number of Orcs killed: 12 Number of beasts Killed: 27 Number of people saved: 15 [C]-??? However, the quest was proceeding smoothly. The last question mark had indicated saving the Knights being attacked by Orcs in the White Forest. So, Callius specifically targeted the Orcs fighting the Knights. It was a bit dirty, but you could easily kill the Orcs by a surprise attack from behind, or you could band together with the saved Knights to increase your survivability. In order to raise the level of rewards, saving someone rather than killing an Orc gave a higher score. And even if the saved Knights hunted the Orcs and beasts, they wouldnt add to his score, so it was efficient to move quickly before people died. Chaaak! Leaving behind the fallen Orc, spurting out blood, Callius turned and shouted at the fallen Knight. Dont just lie around, pick up your sword. Ah, I see! Yes, yes! Time was running out. Combing the forest bit by bit to save the Knights was not as easy as one might think. There was only one body, and there were many to save and many to kill. Even ten bodies would not be enough. I wish I had a flying sword skill[2]. It would have been much more comfortable, even if it was something at a lower level than a true flying sword art. What do you do with so many swords? They dont have scabbards, and its getting harder and harder to carry multiple swords around the waist. It would be more convenient if I could make the swords hover in the air with a flying sword skill, or had an artifact or relic able to hold multiple swords at once. There will be more and more swords in the future. The number of swords required varies depending on the unique abilities of the swords. When I played the game, I had more than a dozen swords in my possession. Even then, if you wanted to carry multiple swords, you had to have a related artifact or a holy relic. Or, you needed a characteristic. However, I dont have any such characteristic, and most of those skills are of an unreasonably high level to learn directly. Artifacts and relics are not easy to obtain either, so for now, I have no choice but to grin and bear this inconvenience. However, if the number of swords keeps gradually increasing from now on, I wouldnt be able to ignore it anymore. I cant help it right now. Chwaaak! After cutting down another Orc, Callius cried out to the bewildered Knights who were still breathing heavily. If you are getting overwhelmed with strength when alone, face the enemy in twos or threes. If your skills arent enough, fill the gap with numbers! Your skills arent any better than stones scattered by the road, but if you throw those stones, even they become weapons! Yes! Ahhhhh! Die, you monster! Not all of these guys were even proper Knights, so if they fought an Orc Warrior one-on-one, theyd lose a hundred times out of a hundred. Wandering Knights who came for the position of a Knight of Jervain, a symbol of the North. They had their own experiences and swordsmanship, true, but in the end they were swords yet unforged. Damn, Im feeling so unsettled that the trash noble personality characteristic keeps popping up. Seuk C! Still, its getting easier. As the number of Knights began to increase, they were becoming more and more used to the scenario. No matter how many Orc Warriors there were, if the knights dealt with them calmly, and if Callius helped out during each crisis, they could be killed without much effort. Number of Orcs killed: 32 Number of beasts killed: 54 Number of people saved: 21 [B]-??? After killing them for a while, the reward went up to B. Having defeated one more Orc, Callius saw one young Knight panting. If it had been three years ago, he would have also been panting like that. Right now, Im able to cut all these Orcs down. It was proof that the last three years had not been wasted. Pilgrim! Everything has been sorted out here! Callius saw an unknown Knight reporting to him. Why are you reporting that to me? Seeing his look, the Knight said ah!, and introduced himself. My name is Allen! I never asked your name. Apologies! The big battle was coming to an end. After saving some of the scattered Knights and moving with them together, the situation became more comfortable. But I cant release the tension. The woods are still bustling with enemies. I need to secure a path of retreat to slowly escape the forest, and take care of the bigger picture. I will take the wounded and leave the forest. If there are Orcs or beasts in the way, they have to be eliminated. If there are any Knights left still breathing, we have to take them along too. So, the rewards can go up. Yes I see! I will follow you, Pilgrim! Just give me orders! Callius eyebrows furrowed. The eyes of the rescued Knights were twinkling needlessly. Fuck, how embarrassing. Orphin and the Knights rushed out of the forest with Rivan and Rinney. Although they tried to be quick, the Orcs attacked unexpectedly, so two out of the five knights were killed, and now there were only three Knights in total escorting the young Jervain children. We must avoid them. The Orcs are the enemies of the North. Why dont we fight, Orphin? I can fight too! My sword is broken But even so, Im not worse than most swordsmen of the North! This is an order by the name of the Patriarchs successor, Master Callavan. Father Rivans mouth shut tightly when she said that it was Callavans order. He didnt understand why. If you are born a Jervain, it is natural that you are one with the mission and pride of protecting the North. Orphin didnt inherit the bloodline of Jervain, but as a veteran Knight of the North, she also wanted to run to the forest and behead the Orcs right now. Its too early. But she was a Knight. A Knight, before a swordsman. For now, the first thing she had to do was to execute the command she had been given. Brother, what do you think happened to that fork guy? It was Rinney who asked. Unlike the militant Rivan, Rinney had a more abstruse character. Both were children, but Rinney wasnt as simple-minded as Rivan. Heh, he stupidly headed to the depths of the forest, so he must have already been killed by the Orcs. Even if he had some skills, he wouldnt be able to run away from the Greenskins swarming the White Forest. Did he fight them with a fork too? No one in this world fights with a fork. But didnt he fight you with a fork, brother? So, maybe he did that even with the Orcs. Im really curious. Maybe someday Ill be able to fight like that with a fork too! Rivans face turned red. Rinney continued to chirp in a way that he couldnt tell if she was teasing him or not. Well, Rivan couldnt tell, but mostly she was indeed making fun of him. Let us rest here for a while. It was a small cave located a little out of the White Forest. Callavan ordered them to wait here with the children, and Orphin was obliged to stay here and protect the young Jervains until he came back. Orphin, Orphin! There are Knights coming out. Is that so. Im glad She couldnt see. She could only see a few huge trees of the White Forest. Her sight couldnt reach so far away to notice the details. Is this Jervains bloodline? Her gray eyes looked like that of a clairvoyant, observing things happening far away. Yes. There are quite a few surviving Knights . Uh! Its the fork! Orphins ears perked up at the mention of a fork. Him too He was alive. Well, with that skill, survival wasnt anything unexpected. No matter how strong the Orcs axes were, it was not some swordsmanship that could be so easily defeated. No way! No, brother. Thats his red cloak. Huh? But he looks just like us. Looks just like them. Rivans eyes widened in surprise at those words. He then rubbed his eyes as if to look more carefully, but he didnt seem to be able to see that much. I cant see them that well Are you sure?! There. Cant you see? Rivan shook his head. Rinneys eyes were more special than his. Then who Was he a Jervain? Who is he? One of our uncles? But for somebody like that, a fork is too Wasnt it too cruel? No, its the first time Ive seen a face like that. Wow so handsome. Ive never seen a face like that. Thats all? Ah! I know who he is! The scapegrace! Scapegrace? Jervains scapegrace. Even a young Jervain couldnt not know the famous story. One of the greatest trashes in the history of the Jervain family bloodline spanning centuries. One of the greatest shames among all aristocrats. Even after he was kicked out of the family, he became a scum known as the prodigal son of the Church. Callius von Jervain! Then you mean I lost to the biggest idiot in Jervains history!? Do you see that? Rivan was ripping his hair out, but Rinney kept looking at the distant scenery as if possessed by something. Leading a large group of Knights being chased by the Orcs. Theyre fighting well. The other Knights look a bit stupid, but the scapegrace, no, Callius. He fights really well. But nevertheless C There are too many Orcs. Knights coming out of the White Forest. And the black and green forms chasing them. The horde of Orcs, looking like swarms of ants, were too many for the young woman to count. And soon C The border It, its broken! The border is!! The northern border had been dyed green. Editors Notes: [1] ?? ?? ??? (lit. crying while eating mustard) means to grin and bear an unpleasant situation. [2] ???? in Korean martial arts/fantasy means sword that is driven not with the hands but with inner energy/skill. Can sometimes be associated with the concept of heart-sword. Doesnt necessarily have to be a sword the user rides. Chapter 30 Chapter 30 If you dont want to die, leave. His sword drawn, Callius oversaw the evacuation of the villagers with sharp eyes. Sir Callius. Weve evacuated everybody! Sending them to Jevarsch. Its all done! After evacuating the villagers near the border, Callius looked towards the horizon. Having already passed several villages, the Orcs were now drawing near to the heart of the North, and they were occupying or setting fire to all the villages in their way. Jevarsch. Step by step, towards the Jervain Castle. The Greenskins were slowly approaching. Should have killed a few more in the forest. There were more Orcs than I expected. Moreover, as we were leaving the forest, we were outnumbered and could not attack hastily. I thought about occupying the village and engaging them in urban warfare, but I discarded the notion. The Knights didnt have infinite stamina. In addition, the Orcs would have an advantage over the Knights in that kind of street fights across buildings. Its just B rank, but its already becoming difficult. I dont want S+ grade rewards, but shouldnt at least A+ grade be possible? If the reward is a sword, or something related to swords, just one grade difference will have a huge impact on how easily I can overcome the looming crisis. Originally, even a single falling leaf can be the difference between ruin and survival during a crisis. Its still too early to be satisfied here. Its a quest that will never come again. Sir Callius! We must evacuate quickly. Lets go, Prince[1] Callius. It was Allen and Aaron. Allen, the Knight with the young face, considered him a Knight and called him Sir, while Aaron looked at his Jervain hair and eyes, so called him by a noble title. He looked at the two of them and pondered for a moment, then shook his head. It didnt matter what he was called. Rather, there was something more urgent. Now the time for rescuing the Knights was over. Since theyd left the forest, itd be hard to save anybody for a while unless they intended to fight the Orcs head-on. Considering the quest, we have to reduce their numbers at least a little bit more before we go to Jevarsch. That way the main characters will have better odds to survive. Although its not shown in such detail, the higher the death toll amongst those likely to become the core of the North in the future, the worse the quests reward level will become. The Orcs will try to destroy the castle. Theres no avoiding a siege. The battlefield will teeter between victory and defeat, each fleeting moment an arbiter of life and death. So, now C I have to gnaw at their numbers, even if only the slightest bit. The Orc frontline still numbered only a little over one hundred. If thats the case, its still worth doing. If they join the Orcs slowly advancing from the rear, the overall number would be over a thousand. So, I have to kill some. Callius observed the state of the Knights waiting for him. Knights with frayed, worn-out armour and dulled swords who had been running and fighting repeatedly for the past few days without even being able to sleep properly. Thanks to that, most of them were in rather terrible condition. Besides, they all had suffered major and minor injuries here and there, making the scene even more tragic. Fuck, come on! Theyre saying we have to go. Noisy. Even if somebody is overflowing with energy, its unknown if he has a brain, so his condition cant be said to be very good either. Still, I have to kill some more Orcs Is there no way? Master! Lets drink some of this water! The water here is really cold and sweet! Water? Where did water come from all of a sudden? Is there a well here? Yeah! Its right over there. As Callius looked at the large well at the centre of the village, he suddenly remembered the stigma engraved on the back of his hand. Fuck. Yes, there is this one way. Good job, Bruns. Yes, yes?! Bruns, suddenly receiving Callius praise for the first time in his life, stiffened with a puzzled face. Leaving him standing there frozen, Callius immediately took out a pouch from the stigma and dumped its contents into the well. Tak, ttak. In the forest near Jevarsch. Callavan was biting his nails nervously as he waited for someone. Brother. Are you here? Lutheon! Callavan grabbed the person who appeared suddenly, and stared at him with bloodshot eyes that seemed positively murderous. Why didnt you tell me! There are so many Orcs out there! Calm down, brother Callavan. Whats the problem? Isnt this a problem! The whole northern border! The pillar of Carpe is being ravaged by those savages! The usual Callavan, who always had a relaxed smile on his face, was nowhere to be found. He now looked like a gambler who had squandered all his fortune at the gambling den. The man called Lutheon shook off Callavans hands without difficulty. His two hands had enough power to force away Callavans strong hands, trained for decades, very easily. Brother. Everything is going according to plan. Only in this way will you be able to inherit the Norths heritage intact. Only then can we be rewarded for our efforts. Youre sure. Yes. Flightless Dragons in their nests are just prey, arent they? A wounded Dragon in its nest is just a wild beast. The current Jervain Patriarch. Elburton von Jervain. You have to be prepared for at least this amount of bloodshed if you want to catch him. Krasion supports brother Callavan. How can you succeed in such a great cause when you get excited so easily? You have to be more poised. Yes. I got too excited. It was all thanks to Krasion that I was able to get this far, but I forgot that for a moment. Yes, yes. I understand. Now, the highlands are just around the corner. By sacrificing the green filth of the North, a new master of Jervain will be born. Lets just wait quietly for now. Those Greenskins will take care of everything. The man called Lutheon assured Callavan like that, and then slowly turned his head. At his slight nod, the hooded and masked ones behind him straightened their backs. In their hands, for a brief moment, flashed the blue blades of spears. Theyre going to arrive tomorrow. Callius, who had taken refuge in the nearby mountains for a while to avoid the advance of the Orcs, breathed in the bleak pre-dawn air. The Cloak of Twilight warded away the cold, but after fighting and running for days, his whole body was drenched with sweat. I want to wash. But there was no room for that kind of luxury. Number of Orcs killed: 52 Number of beasts killed: 61 Number of people saved: 41 [B+]-??? Callius gray eyes turned calm as he saw a Knight approaching him. What the hell is happening I heard that nothing like this has happened in nearly a hundred years He was a Knight belonging to the Jervain family. It was not completely unprecedented, but this was the first time that so many Orcs had pushed in so indiscriminately. Originally, battles between Jervain and the Orcs had happened before. However, their battles over the White Forest never ended decisively for either side, and so their war had continued endlessly. Its just a result of time and planning. What do you mean? It just means that the time has come. What was always about to happen had finally happened. Fatalites Wheel originally was that kind of a story. Orcs and Jervain. The White Forest and the beasts at its centre. A Wheel that keeps turning. And the forces trying to reach out to those demonic beasts using the Wheel C Theyre playing their own game. Who would want to see Jervain fall the most? Which nation? The Empire. The fanatics who call themselves the only Holy Empire and worship the God of Creation. I dont know how they tricked the Orcs into this. But it wont be that easy. I cant let them ruin Carpe. The village was already full of Orcs. It was around lunchtime when the Knights rescued by Callius had left the village. It was already almost dawn now. The Orcs would occupy the village, rest, and set off again in the morning. At their speed, they would knock on the castle gates in three days, leading to a battle. After that, the rest of the Orc army would arrive, bringing even more chaos to the battlefield. So before that, Callius needed to reduce their numbers, even if only a little. Seok. As Callius got up and put Lucen and Loas around his waist, the Knights who had been resting froze at the sight. They seemed to know why their saviour was moving. There were some who rose, some who couldnt decide whether to rise or not, and some who sat and sent anxious glances. The total number was forty-four. Originally, more than three hundred had entered the White Forest. They were the only ones left. Heads, shoulders, and legs were all covered in bandages. Their eyes fluttered aimlessly, and they trembled with anxiety. Their sword arms, full of hesitation. Theyd fought in the forest, escaped, and then fought again. By the time they had reached this hiding place they were already trembling in fear, their bodies refusing to move any further. Itd only been half a day since then, so when thinking of moving again, this was the natural result. They needed to take a break, they really needed rest. Callius looked at the horizon in the distance. The sky was utterly dark. The darkest hour, just before sunrise. He put his hand on the hilt. They will go to Jevarsch. The castle that was the seat of Jervain, who represented the North. It was the Orcs final destination. Sooner or later, they will destroy the gates, and eventually kill everyone in the castle. The northern parts of the Kingdom will then be theirs. It was their long-awaited dream. To become the Ruler of the North. To reclaim their ancestral lands. They had such a destiny. But Im not going to let that happen. Strength seeped into the Knights sword arms at that declaration. Callius was speaking calmly, but there was some kind of power in his voice. An assertiveness, and confidence. And the arrogance, characteristic of aristocrats. Together, those qualities emanated the presence of Callius von Jervain. Our enemies are over a hundred, but there are only forty of us. Nevertheless C I will go meet them. We need to reduce that number a bit. That way, the rewards will be higher. An opportunity that will never come again. You cant just be satisfied with a B+. Its reckless A young Knight bit his lip and spoke. There was no strength in his voice, his head down and his gaze towards the ground. He was trembling. His name was Allen, he said. Even in the forest, he was a brave Knight whod followed Callius without hesitation. But now, he was trembling with fear. He was afraid. Was it your first large-scale battle? That blond hair is like Leone, although the age is closer to mine, so it keeps catching my eye. Its not reckless. Thats not the last of them. Even if its a hundred now, their number will grow more and more as the days go by. If its a hundred now C In the end, it will become thousands. Its not some simple quest that ends overnight. But by the same token, the level of compensation can increase exponentially. Its still fine. Before that great army of thousands arrives C Right now, when those Orcs are blindly slaughtering the villages food supply, is an opportunity. The time now is before sunrise, the darkest hour that precedes that dawn. The odds have already been adjusted. There is a reason why we evacuated the villagers but left all the food in the village untouched. Whats the reason? Callius had bought a lot of things in Tristar. And going through that purchase history, one could find some things that were quite useful even during a war. Because most of the ingredients of the Holy Water were quite poisonous. Editors Notes: [1] ? (gong) is a noble title thats often short for Duke, but here were going with Prince from context. Do the readers remember Lutheon? First mentioned in chapter 4. This isnt the last we see of him. Oh, and Krasion is the secret society Cedrics part of. You start seeing more and more of the world politics from this arc onwards, whereas youve only heard mentions of the Empire so far. Excited? Chapter 31 Chapter 31 The well and all the leftover food in the village that the Orcs enjoyed had already been poisoned. And quite some time had passed since then. No matter how savage they might have been, they would not be able to fully digest the venom Callius had left for them as a present. And now there was a chance to slaughter them. If you dont want to follow, I wont force you. I guess thats all you amount to. Callius ignored them thereafter and drew the Predator Sword C Loas from his waist. It had swallowed a lot of blood the last few days, so a lot of the breakage had regenerated, and there were no visible gaps on its blade anymore. Not long left. After completing this quest, Loas will smoothly become a Spirit Sword. There wont be much difference in terms of unique abilities, but itll still be better than nothing. Ill go first. Callius left the hesitating Knights behind, and headed for the village. Bruns, moving to follow him, exclaimed. Heh! Shameful bastards. Is there anyone here who doesnt owe his life? To think that Knights who keep babbling about honour and pride would be so low-class. Tsk, tsk. Even a dog knows to guard the house where it gets its food, but you guys behave like this? Its a shame to call you Knights, its a pity! If this is what youre like, just put down your sword! Hearing something like that from a servant, several Knights rose up. Startled, Bruns moved closer to Callius. Shut up, Bruns. Yes, yep! After a while. Hey, are you just going to sit still? Im not shameless enough to keep my sword sheathed after hearing that from a servant who is not even a Knight. Its embarrassing. Im going too. If theres something you believe in, you have to go. Me too. Anyway, therell be nowhere to go if the North is destroyed. My home is here. Besides, hes the one who saved my life, and there must be some plan. By ones and twos. Watching the Knights rising, Emily gave Callius a curious glance. Sreung. Emily drew her sword C And strode after Callius. Even a child only a little over twelve years old pulled out her sword and headed towards the Orcs. The Knights faces became hot at the sight. Eh, damn it! Im going too, fuckl! Emilys actions served as the catalyst, and all the hesitant Knights stood up. Some of them were just swept away by the current and followed along, but most were fascinated by the swordsmanship of the one in the lead, Callius. As Bruns said, all of them owed him their lives. So they had no other choice. The one in the lead, Callius, looked upon the Orcs in the village with burning eyes. There are quite a few decent guys. There were even some Orcs standing on guard. However, the village didnt look as peaceful as he expected. Pretty annoying. Callius quietly closed his eyes. Soon, the sounds of the distant village blew in the wind and arrived at his eardrums. By concentrating spirit energy on his ears, a little bit could be interpreted according to the Bards Blessings. C Ueeeeek! C Keuuulululul! He slowly opened his eyelids and raised the corners of his mouth in a curve. Ill clear the way. Callius gave a quick glance to the Knights following behind, then immediately circulated the power from his Elixir Field to his whole body. The bud of the Six Peak Flowers technique slowly bloomed, caressing his tired body and filling it with divine power. Tas! His form jumped up in the air and towards the town. ާѧ!! Enemy!! The Orc standing on the alert screamed so loud that his eardrums were about to burst. However, because of that C Chwaaak. He couldnt stop the single swing of Callius sword. Chaaaaaarge!! Bruns screamed out loud. Cha, charge! Uaaaaaaaaa!! The Orcs were bewildered for a moment at the sight of the Knights uncaringly rushing. But then they picked up their axes. It was supposed to be a surprise attack. Ill get Bruns for this, later. If youre still alive by then! Kaaaang C! Die! Kwajik C! Aaron, wielding a greatsword, killed an Orc with a grin. The body was tired all over, and all his muscles kept throbbing, but the feeling wasnt bad. Oddly enough, dealing with the Orcs wasnt as difficult as before. These guys have no strength, like sick dogs! Hey! Isnt that right, kid! Seuk C kung! Im not a kid, Im Allen. Aaron, with the sword on his shoulder, smiled at Allens response, who only came to his waist in height. Allen took a small breath as he wiped the blood from his sword. But I agree with you. Their movements have slowed down. Its like theyve been poisoned by something. I dont know what happened, but this raid was successful enough. With Knights less than half their number, how could you win over this number of Orcs? This is a merit that is not lacking by any measure. From today on, in the North, Bards will sing of Callius and of us Knights! Hahahaha! Thats good! Kung! Kwajik! Hey, hey! Die! Die! Die so they can sing my name! Chwaaaak! Aaron panted as another Orc fell, and then he saw the man at the forefront of wiping out the Orcs. Should I say, as expected of a Jervain? Well. You probably dont know the rumours about Prince Callius. But those rumours dont seem very believable. Right now, in my eyes, there is no other Knight braver or more honourable! Only the enemys corpses and blood surrounded him as he slaughtered the rushing Orcs, his red cloak fluttering in the wind. Maybe he didnt even need our help Dont say stupid things. Look closely, kid. No matter how strong a Knight is, his stamina is not infinite. Look at what hes doing. Callius had the upper hand even when facing two or three enemies at once. Of course, the Orcs condition was abnormal, but there was no other Knight on the field who could deal with their movements and attacks like that. Even so, he sometimes lost his sword from an unexpected attack, had to roll on the ground, and fight desperately. If he lost his sword, he hastily grabbed another from the corpses around him, and kept fighting with the spare sword without pausing. Prince Callius is overdoing it. He must be in a hurry. Even if he doesnt express it, hes the one leading us. Are you saying hes overdoing it for our sake? Why else would you take the lead and swing your sword like crazy? That was then C These guys! If you have time to chat like that, go kill at least one more enemy! Dont you know how hard my master had to work to save even a single one more of you! He even prepared the scene for you by poisoning the bastards, but you keep chattering without even saying thank you! Po, poison? Really, poison? While you guys were playing, he poisoned the well! You idiots! Tadadak! Bruns, after spitting out such foul language, hid behind Emily. As Bruns said. Our time is not infinite! If you can afford to talk like that, kill one more. Yes! Well I see. Lady Emily. Allen and Aaron, tightly clutching the hilts of their swords, glanced at the leading Callius. They now drew their swords faster than before. I called him reckless without knowing anything He had a plan after all. An indescribable emotion bloomed in their hearts. Kaang C! Steel flashed again. Seuk C! Saak C! It felt good to slash with the sword. Loas was like that, the more you cut with it, the sharper it got. Loas, drinking more and more blood, was slowly becoming sharper and lighter than before. Kaang C! The trick to block the Orcs axes was becoming more and more familiar. Its definitely more comfortable than the first time. The Orcs unique strength. Their techniques of wielding the axe. Straightforward movements. Those things are pretty familiar by now. So, if you swing your sword like this, it will be difficult for them to stop, and if you do that, you can rush further without worrying about a counterattack. If you roughly know how they fight, its easier to cut through them. Kuung. Leaving another Orc fallen behind him covered in blood, Callius looked back. Huu C The Orcs who couldnt fight properly due to the poison had been left to the Knights. He was only cutting down the opponents who still had strength. Theyre doing great. He saw Bruns and Emily joining forces to defeat an Orc. Bruns made quick slashes with a heavy dagger to injure the Orcs limbs, while Emily blew his axe away with her excellent swordsmanship. Theyre breathing pretty well. Bruns swordsmanship skills werent anything to talk about, but he was quick-witted, and Emily was making room for him to intervene in the fight. Emily caught the Orcs attention, and Bruns took advantage of the gap and stabbed him deeply. The dagger Bruns was holding only had a black blade, but it was still a Carcass made by Callius from an Orc Warriors corpse. So, regardless of his swordsmanship skills, if he stabbed with enough force, it was enough to rip through the Orcs flesh and bury it up to the hilt. Callius shook his head and calmly observed the situation around him. The tide had already turned. The remaining Knights had banded together to defeat the weakened Orcs. It seemed that even a villager would be enough to kill an Orc dying from poison. At this point, I might have run away. But Orcs did not. In such a situation, they were trying their best to take at least one more person with them to the underworld. Rather, as they were going to die anyway, they wanted to die fighting. If you die, die on the battlefield. That was one of their creeds. In the fervent belief that you must die on the battlefield to reach the embrace of their God C Orcs wander the battlefields, wielding those huge axes, hoping to die in battle. In search of the highest of honours. That had its own taste, but Its rather good. Since the Orcs are rushing in like moths to a flame, the more you can kill, the higher the level of rewards you will receive. Huu C! Taking a deep breath, Callius ran towards the onrushing Orcs again. At the same time. Wow, he fights really well. This time, he even drew another sword, dual wielding! Is that so. Orphin was repeatedly clasping the hilt of her sword with her hands. She couldnt overcome Rinneys urging, so she moved a little away from where they were originally hiding. The two of them moved alone, closer to the battle. Rinneys eyes were special, so she could see places even further away even if they moved only a little. Even in the darkness before the dawn, it was the same, so Rinney and Orphin held their breaths and watched the battle of the Knights led by the Pilgrim with the fluttering red cloak. Its all over now. Its a victory for Callius. Really, just with those idiots, somehow he annihilated a lot of Orcs! Rinney looked at the sweat on her palms and exclaimed as if exhaling. Awesome thats really great. Orphin couldnt believe it. However, there was no reason for Rinney to lie. If the Knights had been defeated, it was them who would be in danger next. But the Orcs didnt look very good. They were grunting and vomiting as they fought. Really dirty. Is that so. Yeah, its not likely that the whole group of Orcs would have a sudden stomach upset, maybe Callius had already done something underhanded? No way. They didnt have any time to do that. But even in that kind of a disadvantaged situation, Callius waged a fight on them and won. Unless you are certain of something, you cannot move like that. Especially for wandering Knights who have not even been properly appointed as Knights. Besides, they had already suffered major and minor injuries, so in a fight with the Orcs, defeat was almost certain. Even so, he forced a battle. Its not something you can do unless youre sure of something. Combining the situation and the condition of the Orcs, one naturally had to think of ways Callius could have tilted the odds in advance. I dont know if hes really a Jervain. No matter how much you think of a way to make them unable to fight properly, there is no other way than poison. In addition to his swordsmanship, he has that kind of resourcefulness? He has a handsome face and is even smart, so how did he become Jervains idiot? Thats what I want to ask. Orphin laughed loudly at Rinney talking to herself. Seeing that valiant figure, who would think that he was the unprecedented scapegrace of the Jervain family? What is he doing now? Sitting on a pile of Orc corpses, raising his sword with the Knights. If you keep quiet, you might hear them? She closed her eyes for a moment, and she indeed heard them. The screams of the Knights were almost inaudible, flowing on the wind in the cold forest. A cry of victory resounding on the battlefield. Aaaaah. Orphin hugged herself with her arms. Desire bloomed in her eyes. The soul of a Knight was boiling. She also wanted to taste that victory on the bloody battlefield. She wanted to shout out the cry of victory boiling out from her Elixir Field. Ah. However, unlike the pleasant shouts she heard, she herself was in a miserable condition, standing in the freezing northern wind. As a Knight of Jervain, she couldnt even wield her sword to her hearts content. Orphins fists clenched tightly. Why cant I be there, drawing my sword? Why cant I confront the true enemies of the North, the Orcs and their demonic beasts! Orphin suppressed the momentary urge to draw her sword and rush forth. Kuduk. Orphins grip on her swords hilt tightened with the emotion burning in her heart. We must go now. Master Callavan may arrive here soon at dawn. Uh-huh!? That was then C Rinneys pupils dilated. Whats going on? Red hair! Orphins gaze burned at those words. Is that really true?! Thats right! Red, red hair. Red hair Orphin! Why, a Great Warrior Great Orc Warrior. An elite among the Orcs elites, said to have powers many times greater than a normal Orc Warrior. Uh, what should we do? If thats a Great Warrior, hes very strong! I read it in the books. Callius is going to die Orphin!! Despite Rinneys call for help, Orphin only looked desperate. A Great Warrior Even if you go to help, nothing will change. It is too far-fetched to think that those who just finished a battle can run away from a Great Warrior. Orphin said with a dark face C Theyre all Theyre all dead. Editors Notes: No, theyre not all dead. Geez, Orphin, were like at thirty chapters. Great Warriors are basically higher up on the ladder than normal Orc Warriors. It can sometimes be translated as Warchief, but here the context is pretty clear. Chapter 32 Chapter 32 Hwiiing. The northern winter wind struck at the skin like knives. A chilly dawn breeze that seeps into your bones till you hunch over, and evokes an unfounded nostalgia. I feel so cold, I wonder if somebody else is too. That kind of thought naturally leads to a bitter longing. That somebody may be a lover. Or family. Or someone else Tock, tock. Under the starless morning sky. A middle-aged man stood on the walls of Jevarsch enduring the cutting wind. At his waist was a sword in its scabbard, adorned with a gray jewel that resembled the eyes of Jervain, not losing its shine even in the north wind. The sword hilt appeared engraved with the mark of Jervain, signifying it as a sword passed down from generation to generation. The guardian sword that protected the North, which could only be inherited by a new Patriarch from the previous one. Callis, the North Wind. The man who grabbed its hilt C No, Elburton, the Patriarch of the Jervain family, waved his hand. The wind that flew through his thick fingers was quickly caught in his hand. Hooo. In an instant, that strong north wind descended gently into his palm like a tamed beast. The calming north wind did not make him quail. But there was the slightest trace of cherished nostalgia. Callius The Supreme Ruler of the North, Elburton von Jervain. His gray pupils trembled faintly. Kullok, kullok. There was a wet coughing sound. It disappeared in the strong wind, and the smell of blood also quickly dissipated. Count Jervain. It was Bernard. He looked bitterly at the handkerchief in Elburtons hand. You look awful. Forget it. Elburton von Jervain. Count Jervain, head of the House of Jervain, hid the blood-stained handkerchief that was in his hand, and looked down from the castle walls. Even in this late dawn, refugees continued to knock at the gates. From here and there, many a territorial resident continued their constant journey towards Jevarsch, the home of the Sword of the North. Sir Bernard. What do you think? Isnt this something you foresaw already? To some extent. However, the situation was more serious than expected. The signal from the scouts has arrived. The Orc corps from the North are said to be on the move. Theyve been quiet for a long time. They were gathering their strength all the time, to finally reclaim the northern areas. Something that would have happened someday. A natural occurrence. But this is not a good time. Thats not wrong. But the timing was not good. Winters in the North were harsh. This severe cold was a bad time to suffer from food shortages, and the war that suddenly broke out would quickly dry up the stockpiled food. It would be nice if this wind quickly passed by. The North was facing serious problems this time. How many are there? Almost seven thousand, they say. The more time passes, the more it will become. Seven thousand Orcs. Our army A thousand Knights of Jervain. And three thousand soldiers. Four thousand in total. It was an unusually large number for an army owned by a single family, only possible because the family in question was Jervain of the North. But even so. Four thousand its difficult. Forget about the number. The good news is that the castle has thick walls But it doesnt make sense to stay locked up in the castle and wait out the siege. We have to prepare. We need to cut down on their troops at least a little bit. We cant let so many of the beasts reach the castle. Besides C I dont think this is all. Are you talking about Callavan? Hes good at swordsmanship, and has a good brain. Hes even kind and generous to the people, so he should be able to protect the northern areas. There is only one thing that the head of Jervain needs. The ability and willingness to protect the North. Then why do you doubt him? Hes hes very filial. Youre talking about his biological father. Yes. Unlike me, that man has a good son. Elburton voiced his accusation. Callavan intends to kill me and make his father the Patriarch. Something that would come to you if you just stay still. Hes doing something foolish, because he doesnt know that Im ill. Did you know everything from the beginning? I am Jervains sword, and the shield that protects the North. I need to be able to notice at least that much. If so, why did you just leave it alone? If you trimmed the shoots in advance Elburton quietly shut his mouth at Bernards question. The foolishness of an old man. Youre younger than me, what are you talking about? Every time I see Callavan I keep thinking of him. You mean Callius? Elburton didnt answer. But Bernard seemed to understand. Blood does not lie. Even if its for the family. Even a cold-blooded man who abandoned his children is still a father in the end. A parent cannot ignore a childs suffering[1]. Sir Bernard. Yes. Callavan alone could not have moved the Orcs. He is valiant, but that is not enough to achieve such a thing. There is someone behind him. A person with experience, knowledge of the North, and a deep grudge. Perhaps one who belongs to that group. Is he a strawman? Callavans biological father? Maybe. If he wants to become the Family Head, he needs a way to hold the succession ceremony quickly[2] amidst the fires of war. Threading that needle would be hard just by himself. But more than that. There was something bigger at the root of it all so thought Elburton. Callis, the family heirloom sword in Elburtons hand, showed a slight tremor. It wasnt fear or terror. It was merely the anticipation of what was soon to come. Maybe all of this is just coincidence, but there are fewer coincidences in the world than youd think. Thats true. Sir Bernard. I may die on this battlefield. Dont say that. Your death is not the death of just an individual. Anyway, this body doesnt have very many days left to live. In that case, I think its splendid to die honourably in the embrace of battle. The Supreme Ruler of the North is still just a soldier And should face a soldiers tragic end. Bernard, who was about to refute, couldnt speak. Both Elburton and Bernard were swordsmen, and Knights. He understood Elburtons unwillingness to die a shabby death. Weve been at peace for too long. But the North has always. Theres never been a battlefield like this. This is better. If the war broke out after I died, it would have been difficult to endure. Bernard felt a strange sense of dj vu. Elburton spoke as if he wanted this war. Under his hopeless demeanour, he seemed to have strange expectations. Its like he was looking for the perfect place to die. Youre thinking of dying. If I die, what will happen to Jervain. What will happen to the North? Are you curious? Im not curious. I wonder. If I die What about Jervain? Who will lead it? Also, what kind of wind will blow in the North? Will his successor be able to tame Callis, which has accompanied him all his life? That guy And Callius. What about his one and only son? That was then. A Knight with the mark of Jervain rushed towards him. Something happened? An emergency signal from scouts! Tell me. There was a battle in the village of Dynel, and even though smaller in numbers, the Knights were victorious! Triumph that arrived during this bad a situation. Its good news. Someone accomplished an honourable task. The Jervains from the branch families had not arrived yet. He thought it might be one of them. They said that a Knight wearing a red cloak was leading the group Callius! Bernard exclaimed. Elburtons pupils trembled slightly. That guy Was he leading the Knights to annihilate the Orcs? Bernard didnt doubt it, but Elburton furrowed his eyebrows. It was hard to believe. However Before he even finished thinking. The soldiers report was not over yet. It is said that a Great Warrior was spotted, moving towards Dynel. What! A Great Warrior! That means somebody able to command a full corps among the Orcs!? Is he moving all alone? Yes! Thats right! I know who it is. The Great Warrior who moves like a lonely spectre on the battlefields. Keltuk, thats him. He had quite a unique disposition, but his abilities were not in doubt. There was no counting the number of Knights of the North who had perished under his axe. Ill go. Callius alone wont have it easy! At Bernard spoke, intending to rush out, Elburton drew his sword. Jervains heirloom. Callis, the North Wind. Go. The North Wind will carry you. Cheok. Selululuk! Suddenly, a stormy wind blew. Bernards form disappeared with the strong wind. The sword containing the northern winds, Callis. The soldiers eyes shone sharply. Although Chuckle. Elburtons eyes twinkled. Its the first time Ive seen your face. The soldiers face contorted. Tas! Tadadadat! As if it was a signal, black-robed forms that looked like assassins appeared from below the wall, no longer hiding their aura. The corners of Elburtons lips rose. It was a cold smile. Is the rumour true? The Supreme Ruler of the North faced the dozens of assassins in his front. At his question, someone in the crowd opened their mouth. Its true. All right, then. Soon the north wind blew again. Uaaaaa! A great shout followed. They won the battle they had thought impossible to win, so it was only natural. Even I have this exhilarating feeling, so why would they be different? Victory is valuable and joyous for everyone. Therefore, it was natural that they should exalt in the joy of victory. Hwiiiing C Unfortunately, the world was not that kind. I dont like these variables. Sitting on a mountain made of Orc corpses, barely supporting my body with a sword, I saw someone walking alone as if wading through a sea of blood. His red hair, tied in bundles, did not flutter even in the face of the strong northern winds. Two axes with red emblems engraved on them were held in his hands, and they radiated tremendous momentum. Hair dyed red, only allowed for those highly honoured for their achievements in the Orc society. Blood-stained axes. Comparing to the Valtherus Church, he was on the same level as a Paladin possessing a Spirit Sword. A Great Orc Warrior. Uh The wind changed with the appearance of the man. The northern wind that only felt chilly till then, was now approaching the freezing point. Gulp. Its not some other Orc. Even those who did not know the history of the Great Warriors could not open their mouths because of his demeanour and mettle. Those who had just been shouting till their throats burst, now could not utter even a word and could only swallow drily. Shit. I mean, imagine this kind of timing. Its not pouring cold water on you, more like drowning you in it. We just won the battle, but before we could fully savour our victory, this guy appeared and demolished all our feelings of exaltation. Whether he knew this or not, the Great Warrior walked in slowly, and gazed intently at Callius, who was sitting on the pile of Orc corpses. Kung, kung. He put down the axes in his hands on the ground. Cricking his neck and relaxing his body, he quietly waited for the battle to commence. I, master Shall we run away? Bruns was terrified. Quick-witted as always, he seemed to have realized that the level of the Great Warrior was quite different from the ones hed met so far. Just look at him, the aura he emanates is enough to overwhelm the surroundings and sink the very air, so what can you do? Escape will be difficult. Only one enemy. However, his level far exceeded the Orcs they had met till now. If you run away, you die. The moment they try to run away, they will be caught one by one and their limbs torn apart. You must fight. Fortunately, it was a Great Warrior. He acknowledged the etiquette of battle. He was just warming up, not rushing in to attack. A leisurely arrogance. And anticipation. For the battle to come. For the brutal slaughter he shall commit! To avenge his dead comrades! Step back. Seuluk. Callius loosened his cloak and stepped forward. He pulled out Lucen from his waist and stabbed it onto the ground. Loas scabbard was also removed. Every single possible distraction was put away. And lastly. Click. The artifact on his wrist C He loosened Vivis Bracelet. Kwang! Kwang! Kwang! Minute explosions racked Callius body, because of the overflowing divine power raging inside him. Blood flowed from his lips as if to represent that excruciating pain. But despite that flowing blood C His expression was infinitely calm. The only things reflecting in his slow-moving pupils were his sword and the figure of his enemy. There was no hesitation. Kwaaang C! Silver petals fluttered. Editors Notes: [1] ?? ???? (lit. sore finger) is used by parents worrying about a child not doing well. See this article for a full explanation. [2] ? ?? (lit. roasting beans) is part of the proverb ???? ? ?? ??? (lit. eat beans roasted in lightning) which means being agile in action, agile enough to be able to roast beans in lightnings fire. Chapter 33 Kkigigigigig! Kwajik! Huung! Cheueueueuk! . Loas quillon was destroyed. The cross-guard that protected the wearers hand, at the joining of the blade and the hilt. As the axe slid against my sword, it destroyed the cross-guard and swooped in. Had I been just a little late to react, my wrist wouldve been severed. Hes not an opponent I can beat right now. I was breathing heavily, sweat dripping off my chin, but he wasnt. He looked no different than he did before the fight. That majestic figure, that unchanging expression, and that red hair of his. All were the same. Even the aura he emanated pricked the skin like needles. Hes big. Not just his size. Even his axes were extraordinarily large. There was a clear gap between our skills. Predator Sword C Loas screamed as cracks spread on its blade. Drip, drip. Blood seeped through Dexters Glove. The more I blocked my opponents axes, the more my hands trembled. I was teetering on the verge of losing hold of my sword. Jjiiig! I tore off some cloth near the forearm, and wound it around my hand gripping Loas. Hooo C I raised my physical abilities to their limit by circulating more energy, sharpening my nerves to a well-honed edge. Chaeeng C! Huuuung! Every time an axe of his collided with my sword, red dust rose off the blood-drenched earth, and shockwaves rippled through the air, making the skin tingle. Kwang! Kwaaang C! My bones throbbed. Less than half of the divine power accumulated in the bracelet was left. That divine power, purified over a long period, has narrowed the gap between us a little, but that was all. There was a great moat between Callius the scapegrace and the Great Warrior Keltuk, that could not be filled with just that. A great moat of experience, and talent. A gap that could not be bridged so simply, between the axe and the sword. At first glance, the contest looked even. The reality, however, was completely different. The dual axes had plenty of room to move. The Great Warrior could go a little faster, add a little more power. He could pierce or deflect Callius sword at his leisure. However, he didnt do that, and just accepted his opponents attacks, as if he was having fun. Jiik C Biting his lower lip, Callius changed his sword art. A subtle change that could not be felt unless one observed closely. The Silver Flower Wave Sword art was no longer the same as before. The sharp and smoothly travelling sword began to change as if numerous flower petals were blooming on it. Creating an illusion as if the sword had multiplied into dozens at once. The mystery of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art lies in mutability. Change is the essence of its existence. An art to dazzle and confuse opponents with its ever-changing sword. A sword for the weak against the strong. The first sword deceives, and the second also. Deceive and deceive until you deceive even yourself C that is the art called the Silver Flower Wave Sword. Chaang! Petals fluttered in the air. The divine power contained in the weapon had scattered, and were fluttering all around like flower petals. The petals hovering in the air attached themselves again to Callius sword. The sword, that had been deflected, suddenly circled around and savagely struck again at the enemys neck. Sssk. Seeing the bloody sword tip piercing the air, the Great Warrior curved his lips. Swaeaeaeek C! Taeaeeng C! A violent shock erupted in his arms and then spread throughout his body. As he staggered at the shock, Callius body flew through the air at another sudden impact. Kahk! Blood splattered through the air. He had obviously been aiming for the neck. But suddenly, another axe had blocked his way, and Callius couldnt break through its strong defense. An obvious mistake. And that mistake in his sword would now demand death as its price. Keltuks axe flew sharply towards Callius whod been flung into the air at his kick. Kwaaang C!! Loas, which had barely regenerated, broke again and flew into the sky. Chwaaaak C!! A red line of blood appeared from Callius right shoulder to his side. Kung. Kuhk! Red blood soaked the ground. Callius lifeblood was unceasingly pouring down. I lost. The sky looked red. It brought a woman to mind. Red as the twilight. Haa He fell down, exhaling a hot breath. The air he breathed in, however, was infinitely cold. The process was very simple. As you exhale the heat and inhale the cold, your body becomes colder and colder. The hot blood running through his body cooled down, calming his ambitions and aspirations. Teoss. Callius, fallen on the ground, looked at Great Warrior staring down at him, standing tall with the red sky at his back. His gray pupils ran red with blood, and the fleeting moment seemed like an eternity. With each exhalation, hundreds of memories and regrets floated to the surface of his mind. But even so, time gradually passed, and it all sublimated to one single truth. Ah Aaaaaah!! His ears were almost deaf. The eardrums creaked as if theyd been filled with water. Nevertheless, one of his talents, [Bards Blessing], ironically transmitted the sounds of despair to his eardrums. Were all going to die! I dont want to die!! Ahhhhhhh! When Callius fell, the Knights panicked. Those who had even the slightest wisdom realized that there was no point in running away and felt devastated, while those engulfed in fear ran and screamed foolishly. The Great Warriors eyes frowned. ????? ??????!!Do you know no shame!! The Great Warrior Keltuk, who had never been marred by shame, threw his axes and killed those who tried to run away. He killed only those who had tried to disgracefully escape. Keltuk snorted, then looked at Callius with satisfied eyes. An example of a rare Warrior. Even though he knew he was going to die, he showed the best sword he could show. It wasnt something just anyone could do. To show the highest sword you can achieve despite knowing how high a wall you face. Even for animals, it was logical and instinctive to run away with the tail between their legs facing those stronger than themselves. Those who can rebel against that instinct are called Warriors, and are to be revered. So the man deserved it. The same fate as an Orc Warrior. Keltuk thought so. So the Great Warrior Keltuk took up his axe. To show his final respect. The enemys life must be cut off by his own hands. It was his last courtesy to the Warrior who shall soon return to the embrace of the Gods. Hwiiiing C That was then. Suddenly, Callius aura changed. The light on his pupils disappeared, and a strange air began to linger around him. His breath, which had seemed like it would cease any moment, now came long and steady. . Keltuk narrowed his eyes. Somehow, Callius suddenly had a box in his hand. It was unknown where he got it from, but the box was filled with divine energy. As soon as it opened, Keltuk took an involuntary step backwards. ?????? ?????????? ???????????. The divine power of a Holy One. The divine power of a Saint. The pure power began to dominate the space all around. Inside the box was a sacred stone. A remnant of a Saint. The reason he brought it out all of a sudden was it a gift to Keltuk? He was bewildered for a moment. Giving a reward to the enemy who killed you? He was an enemy, but he was a man who could respect and acknowledge his opponent. However, that illusion did not last long. Gulp. Suddenly, Callius ate the sacred stone. !? A creepy sensation. An unfamiliar feeling of uneasiness swept through Keltuks whole being. He immediately raised his axe. Dangerous. Eating the sacred stone shouldnt have changed anything. However, unlike his reason, his instinct was shouting that he should not leave it be. Kung. Kung. Kung! Keltuk quickly approached Callius. And when the axe was about to strike C Kwaaang C!! Keltuks eyes lit up and dimmed down. The flowing north wind cooled the heat from the air. A thunderbolt carried by the north wind was blocking his axe. Kwaaang C!! This He was one step late. Bernard had flown to here from Jevarsch on the northern winds, using the Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan. He didnt even have the time to worry about landing. And as it turned out, there really was no time. Callius, this idiot bastard He couldnt stand to look at the sight. Bernards anger erupted from the tip of his sword. Kwajijijik!! Kwakwang C!! Rakan, the Blue Thunderbolt engulfed the surroundings. A huge explosion resounded. Kahk! Keltuk gave an echoing groan as he was struck by the bolt of thunder. The Orc immediately lifted his axe high into the sky and struck the ground. Kwaaang C!! Jijijijijik!! The ground cracked and broke, chunks of rock jumping into the air. Whirlik! Bernard, who had turned sideways to avoid the flying debris, slashed them all down with his sword, and picked up Callius before throwing him away. Emily! Take him and run away! Grandpa! Dont worry about me! We must save him! You must save him!! Ah, okay! Bruns! Leave it to me Huh? That was then. Callius stood right back up. Blood still poured out from his wounds. His face was bloodless and his lips blue, as if he could die any moment. But for some reason, his eyes were clear. Master! No! Callius pushed Bruns away and staggered forward. His destination was the Life Sword C Lucen, which he had stabbed into the ground before the fight started. Loas was broken, but he still had one more sword to try. That didnt mean Lucen. Crazy Why are you doing that! Dont you even care about your own life, you idiot! Callius looked into the air. [The Gluttony characteristic is digesting the sacred stone ] [Absorbing the sacred stone] [Unable to fully absorb] [Absorbing] Messages scrolled down one after another, and his body was pounding. I feel hazy But my senses are clear. It was a strange state of being. The mind is hazy, but the senses are clear. Although I have no strength in my body, everything around me seems strangely clear, as if I am seeing it all with my own eyes and hearing it all with my own ears. As if every single point in space is so near and intimate that I could touch them if I just reached out with my hands. Is it the characteristic of Death Verse Composition? The characteristic that brings enlightenment at the doorstep of death? I swallowed the sacred stone. It wasnt something Id planned beforehand. It was something instinctive. But thats why I am able to move like this right now. The Gluttony characteristic That is digesting the sacred stone that you couldnt normally. And absorb its power. It was an unexpected idea from his original perspective. A reckless and opportunistic trick. However, that kept him alive. [The sacred stone has been incompletely absorbed.] [Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season has risen to the second star.] Ha Callius, who had absorbed the divine power of a Saint, felt as if all the energy flowing around him could now be caught in his eyes. Whether this was temporary or permanent, he knew one thing. Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season rose to the second star. The quality of divine power increased. So, what did a second star mean? Callius didnt know, exactly. His head was dizzy, and strange lights kept flashing in front of his eyes. However, the new bud in his Elixir Field calmed his heart. Chwaaak. The blooming second peak exuded a divine power that was quite different from the first. And it kept absorbing power at the same time. The divine power of the sacred stone Callius had devoured. And by absorbing all that external divine power, it built and refined itself. Is it His wounds were bleeding so much it wouldnt be strange if he keeled over and died any moment. Even so, Callius thought while holding Lucen. Now I know. How to put the divine power into the sword. Kiiiing C Lucens keening resonance echoed through the earth. Dust spread around Callius, and pure divine power enveloped him in silver light. His eyes saw Lucen turn red, then gradually gray, then blue. Tricolour Eye. Correct the mistakes in the trajectory of the sword due to your lack of talent, using the Tricolour Eye. In this way, it is possible to implement the techniques of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art that could not be used before. Silver Flower Wave Sword C White Haze[1]. The name was given because of how the strange sword technique resembled a vague white expanse in others eyes. White Haze. It bloomed on Callius blade. Strange sword strikes that seemed to be dancing through smoke. And soon. Kung. He stepped forward with his left foot. Dust spread out in a circle, and a strange energy began to dominate the area. The White Haze blooms on the earth. The resplendent yet mysterious sword skill deceived the opponents eyes and pierced through the ground. Kwajijijik! The White Haze spread out like ice crystals in all directions, and soon the silver mists turned into sword energy and burst out from beneath the ground. Kwaaang C!! As a circle of ten paces centered on Callius exploded with the power of the Silver Flower Wave Sword, Bernard and Keltuk were busy retreating. However, their complexions were distinctly different. Where did you learn this! And where are you going?! As if he had recognized the power of the sword skill at a glance, Bernard tied Keltuk down as the latter tried to run away. If his disciple was unleashing such an ultimate skill with all his might, Bernard couldnt let that be all in vain. His Thunderbolt Sword struck. Pajijijik! Kuuuung C! Crack! Keltuks axe, which had been trying to block the Thunderbolt Sword, flew away. Callius Silver Flower Wave Sword burst out from the ground, and this time Keltuk could not evade. Sasasasak! He slashed at all the sword petals with his remaining axe, but his skin still gradually cracked, and blood began to pour out of his body. Chwaaaak! Tudududuk! He had no way to block all the Silver Flower Wave Sword petals indiscriminately rushing at him. Kaaaah! Seeing Keltuk screaming in pain, Callius stepped forward once more. I can do it now. Just like when I fought Esther. The Silver Flower Wave Sword petals collect into a single point, scrape and crush the opponents sword, and make it their own. Not just breaking it, even reversing its power and turning it into an attack. The petals fluttered like furious waves. As if each petal in the shape of a sword had its own will. His gray eyes gleamed with silver. His jet-black hair shone silver as well. Silver Flower Wave Sword C Raging Flower Wave[2]. Scatter and condense. The petals converge into one. Like waves slowly rushing in together. Into one great, furious storm. And right now C Such a legendary sword skill unfolded in Callius hands. Kwaaaaaaaaaa C! A storm of flower blades swept through the area. Editors Notes: Chapter 34 Emily doubted her own eyes. No, rather, she simply couldnt believe what shed seen. Its crazy What kind of swordsmanship did the biggest trash in Jervains history show her? The swordsmanship of the legendary Saint Stella, of whom songs were still sung. The art called the Silver Flower Wave Sword. Petals danced in the air, and he painted colourful flowers in the wind with his sword. Petals hovered all around him, moving with his sword according to his desire. Gradually condensing and gathering their strength, a wave of petals attacked the enemy like a surging tide. The power it boasted at that moment was like a raging storm. As if it was the north wind itself. The ground was filled with scars from those petals, a memento of that swords passing. How could such a phenomenon be caused by only a sword? Emily couldnt believe it when she saw it. Especially since the one who caused it was Jervains scapegrace. Especially since it was Callius von Jervain! Ha, ha ha, ha But even that was now over. Callius breathing became heavy. His spirit power, which had burned with such resplendent divinity, was also scattering. It was because he had poured most of his energy into that single sword. The Great Warrior The form of the Great Warrior was nowhere to be found. Seeing that Bernard was sheathing his sword, unfortunately, he seemed to have run away. But even that was a great achievement. Fighting and defeating a Great Orc Warrior, one strong enough to lead an entire corps!! Tuk. The sword dropped from his grip, and his body followed, helplessly falling down. Blood began again pouring out again from his chest. Emilys eyes widened to the size of saucers. Nia! Bruns! Emily rushed forward. If you just leave him like that, Callius will surely die. No matter even if he swallowed a sacred stone, hed shed far too much blood. Drip, drip. His blood pooled on the barren ground. Emilys face contorted. Oh, master!! Uh, what should we do? I dont know. I need to heal the wound somehow, but I cant. Hes already bled too much. He may not survive even if the wound heals, and there is no medicine on hand to heal it. Grandfather! Let me see. There was one answer, but Bernard had no way to achieve it. It could be done if they could reach Jevarsch, but this place was too far. Judging from his condition, Callius would most like pass away on the way. Bernard, who had experienced such a scene many times in his old age, knew that. The wrinkles on his forehead deepened. There is no choice but to pray to God. O great God, Valtherus. Your son is in danger. The sword art he showed has the potential to one day fulfil your wish, so please dont throw him away. As everyone prayed C Hey, I have a way! It was Bruns. He rummaged through his bag like a man possessed, and pulled out a vial with trembling hands. What is this? Ma-, master, made this medicine. He gave me one of these and told me to use it in case he lost consciousness, or if I thought he was going to die Emily snatched it away before he could even finish speaking. How how do I apply it!? You just pour it on the wound, or feed it. Emily immediately opened the stopper of the vial, poured half its contents over the wound, and the rest into Callius mouth. Then she hugged him and wept. Dont die! You cant die now! We only just met, so why are you trying to die already! Bernard stroked Emilys back with pitying eyes, and ordered the Knights gathered around him. You lot depart for Jevarsch. Hes at the crossroads between life and death, so well have to hide in the forest nearby and see how it goes. Callius was in critical condition, so they could not move him hastily, but there is no need for a large group of people to remain here. We will stay together. But the Knights shook their heads. Earlier, they had not run away, but accepted their death. And yet they lived, because of Callius, so they had no desire to run away again and preserve their own lives. Thats right. Heh heh. Seeing them following Callius despite the circumstances, Bernard felt his mood improve. But seeing Callius bloodless appearance again, it didnt last long. Then lets change the place. Soon after, the party moved to avoid the next wave of the Orcs. Tick, tick. I woke up to the pleasant sound of a bonfire. The ceiling looked like that of a cabin made of dark wood. Kkig. As I tossed and turned, the bed groaned. Uhm Emily was sleeping on her stomach by the bed. On the other side, a red-lit fireplace illuminated the lodge. As I was about to get up, I saw Emily still sleeping, so I lay back down. I pondered over what had happened. There was no memory loss. Fortunately, I remembered everything. Still lying down on the bed, I stretched my hand upwards. Cut. With this hand. That swordsmanship had been almost unconscious, but I remembered the sensation of having cut. But I dont know just where I cut. I had been conscious, and the memory remained clear, but I hadnt been sane or rational at that moment. But I got him, for sure. So he ran away. I feel bad. If Id bagged the Great Warrior, the quest reward, as well as the rank of the Carcass made of his remains, wouldve been something to behold. There was the bitter taste of regret on my tongue, but then I laughed it off. I who was about to die, came back to life. Desiring even more on top of that is pure avarice. Just surviving the Great Warrior was enough for lifetime bragging rights, when it came to the other Knights. Hmm Did Bruns use the holy water? The wound that ran from the shoulder down to the side was healing smoothly. It was a pretty deep wound, so it hadnt fully healed yet, but it was safe to say that the rest was just a matter of time. It wasnt a wound that could be healed so neatly without using holy water, so it seemed that the one prepared beforehand had been used. Then I now have four left. Id kept all the holy water in [Eldoras Cloth Bag], except for the one vial I gave Bruns just in case. After all, shouldnt you consider all the possibilities and prepare contingencies? Otherwise, if I ever fell unconscious and almost died, thered be no way to use the holy water hidden in the stigma. When Bruns comes, I must praise him. This time, he really deserved praise. But I dont know why this kid is doing this. Emily. Seeing her sleeping so soundly, I felt pity for some reason. She cant be Elburtons daughter. There was no route that would have allowed Elburton to have such a young daughter. If so, then she had to be adopted Was there any reason for Elburton to adopt a child whose divine blood was blocked? I didnt think so. So, how and why did Emily become Elburtons adopted daughter? There was no way to know which Jervains blood she inherited. Is she my daughter? No way. Emily was twelve and Callius twenty-six, so he would have needed to have a child when he was just fourteen Well If its Callius were talking about, its not impossible. I never set something like that up. However you think about it, theres no answer. Why is Bernard taking care of this child? That was then. Kkiiiig. Are you awake? The door opened, and a man with cropped and frail gray hair entered through it. A Paladin, with a physique that belied his years. It was Bernard. Yes. I wasnt too surprised because I already knew it was him. If I widened my aura sense a little further, I could even feel the presence of many Knights, stationed near this mountain hut. How long have I been asleep? About four days. Does that mean the moment has already passed? Ive delayed too long. In four days, the orcs must have already arrived near Jevarsch. I dont have time to laze around like this. I carefully got up from the bed, grabbing the leather armour and gear neatly organized nearby. Didnt you just wake up? Theres no rush, so rest now. Theres no time for that. My wounds are already healing, and above all else, is this the time to rest? Bernard shut his mouth at my words. A deep sigh ripped out of him, filled with anguish. Whats the situation now? I dont know all the details. But I do know that the Orcs have reached the castle. Did they start? No, not yet. It seemed like the war hadnt yet started properly. Thank God. It was not yet too late. We had to leave right now. Callius. What? After lightly responding to Bernard, I strapped Loas and Lucen to my waist. Every time I moved, my wounds throbbed, but it was tolerable. The power of the holy water still remained inside me, and it slowly healed me even if I moved around. Cheok. Callius, wearing the Cloak of Twilight, looked at Bernard, and then at the sleeping form of Emily. Bernards expression was unusual. Whats going on? You look as nervous as a dog about to shit[1]. Is that how you talk Grumbling about how Callius was one rotten bastard, Bernard glared at Emily and asked quietly. This war will be fiercer than you think, and it will be a battlefield that no one can surely survive. Of course, there will be many moments where your life is at risk, and the same for me as well. What is this old man babbling about? I crouched, folded my arms, and listened quietly to what Bernard had to say. So, you stay here. Why is that? I saw you fighting the Great Warrior. I thought you were honing something strange, but I didnt expect it to be Stellas swordsmanship. Then, shouldnt that be a reason for me to participate in the war even more? No, thats why you shouldnt step into this battlefield anymore. Whats the problem? I dont know how you learned the Silver Flower Wave Sword, but as long as you can master that sword Then you are no longer a simple Pilgrim, nor are you the scapegrace of Jervain. To summarize, Bernard told me C Callius. Go to the Church. Go and show them your sword. To publicize the Silver Flower Wave Sword art. Didnt you suffer because you were kicked out of your family during that time? There were many times when you almost died. Even now, you came back from the very precipice of death. You dont have to suffer like this. Hmm I knew what Bernard meant. You dont have to go through any trouble. There is no need to risk dying. Just by spreading the swordsmanship, Carpe and Valtherus can become stronger. That was to say C By doing so, the Church will recognize Callius, and Carpe, as well as Jervain, will also recognize him. Are you serious? Bernards eyes were serious. He was being sincere. He said these words only thinking of myself. But what do you know? He had no idea. What is my purpose. What are the risks looming ahead. I refuse. Its not worth hearing him out any further. The reason? There are many. Beasts. Magicborn[2]. Empire. Pagans. Krasion. Demons. There are countless dangers in my path. To survive such things, I have to raise my own power. You cant achieve anything if you just hide under the skirt of the Church or the state. Even if you can, its only temporary. On the Pilgrims Path, the only way Callius could survive was to pick up a sword. The only path. I am Bernard waited patiently for my answer. Pondering what to say, finally I spat out the obvious. I am a Pilgrim. A Pilgrim in search of his sword till the end of his life. Yes. Before being a noble. Before even being a disciple of Bernard. I was a Pilgrim. Thats right. Thats right isnt it. Bernard smiled bitterly, apologizing as if he had made a mistake. Forget it. I forgot that you were a Pilgrim for a while. Yes, a Pilgrims duty is to find his sword His beloved sword. He caressed Rakans handle and smirked. Then where is your sword? [Fatalites Wheel] [A]-??? In response to his question C I raised an eyebrow and answered. Where else? On the wheel. The ever-turning wheel of my pilgrimage. My sword shall be at the end of that road. Editors Notes: [1] ???? ????? (lit. like a dog about to shit) is slang for somebody looking nervous and urgent. Chapter 35 A long way away from the village. Two men dressed in black robes stood before an Orc covered in blood. One had a spear on his back. Another held an old wooden staff in his hand. Raging Flower Wave Sword marks left by a sweeping storm of flower petals. The man with the staff had an empty gaze as if reminiscing of a time long past, when he had last seen the traces of those furious waves. To think Ill be able to see Stellas sword again one day Life really can play some absurd jokes on you. Master Ramatu. Why did you let them go? Because flowers that are about to bloom are beautiful. The man carrying the spear on his back pulled back his hood, uncovering his face. An imposingly handsome man with blond hair. He was Lutheon, the apostate. I even risked my life for this mission. If those dozens of Knights and the Paladin that you spared become a factor that causes the failure of this mission, I shall hold even Ramatu of Krasion to account Ramatu shrugged. If you can, try it. Ramatu of Krasion. One of the representative figures of Krasion, said to have lived for centuries. He was not a human, but an old monster. Lutheon clicked his tongue. So. Why did you save this Orc? Keltuk is someone who knows me well. It was a pity to leave him to die. Wasnt it? Saying so, he tapped the Orc with his staff. The Orc jerked and screamed. ??????? ?? ????????? ? ??????? ????????!!! Why did you interfere in a fight between Warriors!! The Orcs roars were mixed with rage. His face and chest were deeply wounded, bleeding red. However, that did not quell his anger at being interrupted in the midst of battle. What do you mean by this, Ramatu? Why did you interrupt my battle? The man with a staff called Ramatu shook his head. Great Warrior Keltuk. This is not yet your time to die. You had made such a contract. I apologize for besmirching the honour of a Warrior, but there was nothing else I could do. Are we not bound by the same pact? Brooding on those words for a moment, Keltuk raised his axe, making rivulets of blood flow down from his face and chest. The moment the spear-bearer tried to raise his own spear to warn him C Kung C! Tuk. Kelululuk. Keltuk groaned in pain as he severed one of his own arms. This savage barbarian What? Why, his arm? To flee a battle is to be marred by shame, so he must show respect to his opponent and punish himself. Such was the Orcs way of life. Tung. As the black-robed man struck the ground with his staff, blood gushed out as if the earth was alive. And soon, it covered the exposed cross-section where the Orc had severed his arm, joining it with his axe, and hardened. Lutheon. What happened to the attack on Jervain? It must have failed. They were just bait, anyway. The day he shows a fatal gap in his defence shall be the day he dies. Elburton. I dont know if his head will fall off that easily. Try hard. Arent you going to help? I think Ive done enough by bringing in the Orcs. Krasion simply pays others back in their own coin. Be it grace C or revenge. Tass. As Ramatu disappeared in the space of an instant, Lutheon looked in the direction where Callius had been. Callius You too, were a Jervain. Thats just the way of the world. For a time, Lutheon thought of the sword he had in his mind. Then he, too, disappeared. Kkiig. After his conversation with Bernard, Callius left the hut and looked around at the makeshift camp. Seven died fleeing the Great Warrior. The survivors now numbered in the 30s or so. Master Callius! Callius is awake! Prince Callius! Allen and Aaron. As well as the rest of the nameless Knights and soldiers, came running like children. Are you alright? Ohh, you were so seriously hurt, but already Thats too Callius! Remember this Knight, Lennon! I did not flee! Pilgrim! Your body Callius ignored the chattering Knights and called Bruns. Bruns. Yes, master! Hee! Callius patted him on the shoulder. Bruns, fearing being hit, couldnt suppress his flinch. Callius hand, which had been raised for another pat on the shoulder, drooped down. Get ready. Where are we going? Dont ask the obvious. Their destination was the Jervain Castle. Jevarsch. But you havent recovered yet Bruns looked at the Knights and said cautiously. Its not that Callius didnt understand what he meant, but he really didnt have time. By now, three or four days had already passed as he rested, so it was even more urgent. He had to go kill the Orcs and stop the darkness of this war, in order to complete the quest and increase the level of rewards. The Wheel still spins. And along with this Wheel, Callius future was also in flux. Despite facing a path covered in thorns, he had no choice but to march forward. Callius glanced back. Behind the Cloak of Twilight fluttering in the wind, the Knights following him had determination on their faces. Not bad. Callius was very pleased with the appearance of the Knights following him. Although, since they hadnt eaten or washed for a while, the sight of that bloody and limping procession was quite terrifying at first glance. Callius! Allen could be seen from afar. He was leading a horse with a bright face. Ive found you a horse! Allen grinned like a child asking for praise. That appearance wasnt very Knightly, so Callius almost burst out laughing. Good work. It was a brown horse with a shiny mane and medium physique. You can ride it. Youre not too well yet, so you can ride this guy all the way to Jevarsch. Allen, you bastard, wherever you go, youre just trying to score points! I just got lucky. Hahaha! Keep pretending! Callius was troubled by the friendly atmosphere among the Knights. Callius was no horseman. The original Callius, who had no talent in anything, could neither swing a sword nor ride a horse. He who had become the current Callius had also been a modern urbanite, so he wasnt familiar with horse-riding either. He had had the chance to ride horses before. However, there were repeated failures. Should I try? It might be a little different now. But there was still one thing to worry about. If I failed again, it would No matter how high your noble bloodline, if you cant deal with a single horse, what kind of shame is that? Callius looked at Allen and the Knights with their eyes twinkling in anticipation, pretending to be casual. Hmm. And immediately drew the sword from his waist. Seuk. Kung. Ugh! Oh no, Master Callius Callius decapitated the horse. With a single slash. The horse died without even knowing how. Thats how sharp and fierce his sword was. Most of the Knights could only see him start drawing his sword and then finish putting it back in its scabbard. His sword was so fast that they felt as if the intermediate process had been omitted. His swordsmanship was more refined than before and had risen to a higher level. Ca-, Master Callius. Why didnt you like my gift? For some reason, Allen started weeping. Since the horse he gave as a gift was killed in front of his eyes, he wondered if hed done something wrong. Just as he was contemplating how to ask for forgiveness from Callius C Master is just rewarding the Knights whove stood by him! You havent slept or eaten well for so long, so have one good meal, cant you understand something so simple? It was Bruns. His useless meddling was being helpful for once. Callius nodded. Youre being so considerate I didnt even think of that! I was stupid and couldnt understand what Master Callius meant. Im so sorry! Okay, lets prepare to eat. Yes! The Knights immediately began carving up the horse, draining its blood and skinning it. Come to think of it, I should take a walk too. Patting his own stomach, Callius headed for the forest. Where are you going? With around 30 heads, a single horse cant even fill a corner of our bellies. Its better to go and hunt a few more wild beasts. If you find a magic beast, you can feed its blood to Loas to make it recover. Ill go with you. Alright. Callius walked into the forest with Bruns. Plucking a leaf of grass from nearby, he made a grass flute and blew it. Musical notes danced in the wind. As they walked, they cut down an oncoming deer and then a wild boar, one by one. Bruns flattered him saying he sounded great, while happily bundling up the carcasses and putting them into [Eldoras Cloth Bag]. Yeah, I really am. What do you mean? Theres a sign of a demonic beast. Hide. Yes, yep! Callius placed Lucen back onto his waist and drew Loas just as the demonic beast appeared. Loas was pulled out and swung in a single movement, intersecting with the form rushing out from the bushes. Chwank. Callius, who had split the wolf-shaped beast into two, looked at the sword in his hand with surprise. What? This The sword, which had been broken so recently, showed off a blade much more pristine than hed expected. Aside from the fact that the regular patterns engraved on the blade still remained, it was impossible to think of it as the same sword as earlier, since the blade now shined crimson, as if bathed in blood. When did you change? Was it after it was broken? Or was it after I lost my mind? He didnt know for sure, but Callius was still happy. Why? [Predator Sword C Loas] Grade C Spirit Sword. Inhabited Soul C A mixed soul. Unique Ability C Predation. Because the Predator Sword C Loas had finally risen to the rank of a Spirit Sword. The red blade, which symbolized a Spirit Sword, shone brighter and more beautiful than any other light. The stench of blood had deepened, but the power of the sword itself had increased significantly enough to more than offset that. I knew it. Loas became a Spirit Sword. Youd know it as soon as you grab the sword. As soon as a true expert grasps his sword, he can tell its state and level, and Callius could feel it a little bit. The impact of cutting the beast just now was negligible. The fact that the body of the beast was split in twain and yet the impact of the cut had been negligible, meant the blade was incredibly sharp. Calliuss grip on the hilt tightened. This will do. Great Warrior Keltuk was still alive. In the fight against him, hed felt the desperate need for a Spirit Sword. What if there hadnt been a sacred stone in his hands, or he hadnt had the trait to absorb it? What if Bernard hadnt shown up in the nick of time? What if the Orc hadnt leisurely enjoyed their battle? Even the enlightenment of Death Verse Composition[1] wouldnt have been enough to save Callius from his doom. It was originally a fight with long odds. Even so, there was a not insignificant regret in the corners of his heart. If only he had a Spirit Sword, he wouldnt have been toyed with so easily. The quality of my divine power also increased. And now there was even a Spirit Sword in his hand. Now, he was no longer afraid to fight the Great Orc Warrior, Keltuk. Rather, he felt anticipation. Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season, and Silver Flower Wave Sword C Raging Flower Wave. It had even become possible to use the second martial skill[2] C White Haze. The skills were still unstable, but the level of his divine power had increased, and his vessel[3] had also grown, so the next battle wont be as one-sided as before. The next time we meet C I will turn him into my sword. Editors Notes: [1] Four Verse Composition is now Death Verse Composition, since we have ended up taking a lot more artistic license when translating terms compared to what wed thought at the start of the translation. No point dying on this particular hill. [2] ?? (lit. herbivore) means martial skill/technique which is part of a martial art/style. [3] ?? (lit. bowl/vessel) is used as metaphor to indicate a persons ability, talent, or qualification for something. Comes from a verse of Lao Tzus Tao Te Ching. See Namu Wiki for more details. If youre familiar with KR stories (especially MTLs) using the term bowl or plate, this is what they mean. Chapter 36 Callius? Callius, is that you? I was wandering around looking for beasts to test Loas out on a bit more. When I heard a certain name, I looked around and saw a gaggle of Knights approaching, led by one with dark hair and gray eyes. Who is it? While I was bewildered, the one at the forefront spoke to me with a smile. Id hoped to meet you here. Callius. Dont you remember me? Its Zornik. Dont say you cant remember Zornik, the Mighty? Zornik. I remembered hearing it somewhere. Callius memories flashed through my head in an instant. Zornik von Jervain. A Knight of Jervain famed for his inborn supernatural might. One of Callius cousins. A named in most routes. Youre the one who loved to stamp on Callius. Zornik was three years older than Callius, and theyd grown up together since childhood. But he was often dissatisfied with the gap between the collateral family lines and the direct one. So, knowingly or unknowingly, he often insulted or slandered Callius while pretending to be friendly. He had a record of breaking Callius arm using a practice duel as an excuse, so their relationship was pretty much the worst. However, their respective reputations were poles apart, so Callius could only be humiliated by Zornik every time. Its not my own memory, but its still annoying. Because he was a source of trauma for Callius, my judgement became complicated. My eyes kept falling down and my hearbeat was erratic. Regardless of my own intentions, I kept making these gestures. A combination of Callius instinctive rejection and fear for the man in front of me. Its been a long time. How sad I was that you left the family. Ignoring Zorniks attempt at a handshake, I put my left hand on Lucens handle. Behind him were the Knights of Jervain who followed him. About ten people. He wasnt on a horse, and seeing them here in the forest, they seemed to be carrying out a separate mission. Whats going on? Haha, youre being so cold. Im here on the order of the Patriarch. Hey, hey, theres no need to be so on guard. Its just us here. Its tough. Because my body was that of Callius. Interacting with Zornik was particularly awkward. I didnt really like his friendly tone, or his relaxed behaviour. Rather, I felt an impulse to pull out Loas and turn him into a sword. And then break that sword and throw it into a mound of shit. Ttt. But the war was about to begin in earnest. There was nothing to be gained from killing him. Zornik was still lacking, but as time passed, he would become a strong Knight for the North, and for Carpe. Considering the future, it was better to spare him. Its no big deal. As you know, the overall situation is not that good, so the Patriarch told me to come find Master Bernard ?as soon as possible. Bernard? Were the Family Head and Bernard that close? This was my first time hearing this. Id never heard of a route where the Family Head and Bernard get closer, but this world was not just a game. Do you know where Master Bernard is? Follow me. He must want to take Bernard with him to Jevarsch. Then theres no reason to hide. It was quite awkward dealing with Zernik, but it would be safer to accompany him, because who knew what kind of danger lurked on the path to Jevarsch. Yeah, Im glad. I came here looking for traces of Master Bernard, but the trail was cut off here at this mountain. But to think Ill meet you here I could feel him stroking his chin and looking at me with strange eyes. His gaze moved up and down, scanning me from head to toe. It was kind of creepy. I heard that you became a Pilgrim but your strength hasnt changed that much compared to when you were young. Its because of the artifact. Most of the spirit power that had risen to level 3 was abosorbed by the bracelet. If not, he would have felt it right away. However, there were thorns hidden in his words. Something like, even if youve become a Pilgrim, youre still at the same level as when you were young. Knights measure an opponents strength by their aura. Roughly, the magnitude of the spiritual force. So, that was to say C Hes looking down on me. It was only natural. Somebody you had been tormenting you since childhood became a Pilgrim and you two met by chance, but there was no difference in his strength? Naturally, he treated the other as somebody inferior to him, and behaved in a relaxed manner. How have you been? Still, when we were young, I called you bro. Why are you so cold to me now, bro? Tuk, tuk. He lightly punched me in the shoulder with his fist. But theres a difference between being relaxed and being rude. I felt that this needed to be emphasized. So, I broke his arm. Hey, hey. Callius. It hurts, dude. Zornik still had a smile on his face, but the aura he exuded told a different story. His eyes were bloody, and his momentum sharp as a needle, as if he would draw his sword any moment. Zornik and I stopped, still on the forest path. Bruns, as well as the Knights following Zornik, became serious. The Knights grasped the hilts of their swords, and Bruns also grabbed his dagger and kept a close eye on the situation. I dont know if its an effect of Callius personality or an effect of the trait. But whatever it was, I was very angry right now. Callius memories. Those emotions make my blood boil. Itd been a very long time. It felt like Id gone back to the time when I was still the maniac of Jervain. So, I couldnt stand it. Kiiiing. My sword was vibrating as if to escape its scabbard. The flow of air. Zorniks pulse. Time slowed down to the ponderous speed of a glacier. My sword sprang forwards, along the optimal path, pointing towards the neck of the man opposite me. The first destination was his carotid artery. The ultimate goal was to cut off this bastards head. During that brief instant, the Peak Flower in my Elixir Field doubled my strength, and that pure divine power flowed through Loas generating sword energy. Like the petals had huddled together, it was a strange sword. However, this was still the Silver Flower Wave Sword art. One wouldnt notice its sharpness unless they observed closely, but it had enough destructive power to destroy even the sword of the opponent. Look out. Chaeeeeng C! The throbbing feeling running down his fingertips made Callius lips twitch. Fragments of sword energy fluttered around him like petals. His sword had been blocked. But it wasnt Zorniks sword that did so. Unlike his red sword, the other sword that one surrounded by blue lightning. Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan. It was Bernards sword. Callius. Stop playing around. How old are you now? Hed drawn his sword like lightning. Yet, Callius Loas was blocked by Bernard before it could reach Zorniks neck. Ttt. Callius clicked his tongue and spat out a senseless excuse. I just wanted to check my skills once. He wondered how this old man had known to arrive just in time. Dururuk, tak. Callius, who had sheathed Loas, seemed to have lost interest, and headed back towards the smell of grilled meat wafting from the camp. You, too, come along. There should be enough for a spoonful, haha. Bernard couldnt help but smile when he saw a bead of sweat on Zorniks face. Near the hut, the Knights were busy grilling meat and making soup. They were also cutting wood to make the bowls and the cutlery, and everyone was running around in a hurry. Callius! Youre back? Your foods already done, master Callius! Have a seat here! Callius! Where have you been? Why did you not tell me where you were going! Well, Bruns. Here I am, master. Dont ignore me! After pushing away the nagging Emily, Callius was handed a knife and fork and started eating the horse meat in a refined manner. Not bad. Callius just kept ignoring Emilys endless chatter. And amongst all that, there was a man looking at him with strange eyes. Zornik, of Jervain. It was Zornik von Jervain. I can feel that his aura hasnt changed much from before That instant when Callius had explosively drawn his sword was still etched vividly in his mind. Zornik grabbed the bowl of soup handed to him with one hand, and stroked his neck with the other. If Master Bernard hadnt stopped him Gulp. The hair that had stood up on the back of his neck still showed no sign of calming down. Besides, the power that broke his wrist the first time. That strength, too, was quite different from before. Did it mean that the guy who had been a hothouse flower all his childhood had now become a full-fledged swordsman? Still, if its a proper fight, Ill win. He was called the Zornik the Mighty. To be honest, he only got so flustered because he had no idea that Callius would suddenly draw the sword in the first place. However, in a proper fight, would Callius be able to handle his inborn supernatural might? Zornik had overcome many crises throughout his life with his inborn supernatural might. He was proud of it as his shining brilliance. And, born of Jervains bloodline, he also took special pride in swordsmanship. If we fight again Zorniks eyes narrowed. He looked at the pair of swords laid down on the root of a nearby tree. A medium-sized broadsword[1], and a giant greatsword. They were the swords used by Zornik, who was proud of his inborn physical might. He could use either of them to crush most other swords with simple strong force. They were swords that hed normally be proud of, except Callius. His sword was red and marked with strange patterns. The sword itself had a strange shape, but it was definitely a red sword. A Pilgrim would never dare carry such a sword just to show off. A Spirit Sword The meaning of that red blade must be that the swords spirit has awakened. Greed flashed in Zorniks eyes. Teacher. Now you call me teacher. After finishing their meals, Callius and Bernard made their way through the woods, quietly conversing while they watched Zornik move ahead. He was looking at my sword with covetous eyes. I know. But thats expected from a swordsman. You, too, coveted my Rakan. Rakan is my sword anyhow. This crazy guy Bernard clicked his tongue and then shook his head. Well but it cant be helped. I dont know about before, but things are different now. The road to Jevarsch would be very different from before. A large army of Orcs would be blocking their way, so if you made a single mistake, you might get caught by your ankles and drown in enemies. So, the more people there were, the better, and Zorniks mission to come find Bernard was issued by the Family Head. Since it was an order from Count Jervain, they couldnt just tell him to go back, and there was no profit in sending him back. And in this kind of situation, will he really try to take your sword? Its not like you dont know this, but you wave your sword around like a crazed murderer. Whose side are you on? What I mean is that you have a real hair-trigger temper. That was really rude, but Callius had to admit there was a little truth to it. It was difficult for him to hold back his rage when memories of the past came to his mind. If we go to Jevarsch, it wouldnt end with just this Jevarsch was the centrepiece of all of Callius trauma. And if the traits of a maniac scapegrace and an aristocrat acted in concert, things were only going to get worse. Affected by his traits and his trauma, hed really behave like a maniac. Callius hated Jevarsch from the bottom of his heart. Teacher. What is it this time? What do you think happens when a maniac gets his hands on power? Then he will not be a maniac anymore. If not a maniac, then what? Then what? He will become an icon. Icon? Have you finally gone senile in your old age? Do you become an icon just because youre strong? Old age, hah! Hey, you idiot. Think about it a little. If you cut off one or two heads, youre just a murderer, but if you take hundreds or thousands of lives with your sword, what are you? A mass murderer? No. People will throw stones at murderers, but when you become a killer at that large a scale, they will be terrified. Fear alone will become a powerful force that will make them admire you. If it goes on a little further, the name of the killer will become enshrined in legend. If the killers sword is directed at a common enemy, he will no longer be called a killer, but a hero. This is usually the case with war heroes. So. If you can, try and become a hero. If that happens, even if you kill hundreds of Knights like that Zornik There will be no one to badmouth you. Are you really a teacher? Youre encouraging your disciple to kill someone. And here I was giving this wharf roach some honest advice Callius raised the corners of his lips, with a rare sense of satisfaction. I dont know what youre planning, but whatever you do, wait for the right time. The war in the North has just begun. Yes, I will. And exactly four days later C Callius beheaded Zornik. Editors Notes: Chapter 37 Hwiiiiiing. The north wind, as always, scoured all in its path without discrimination. The dry wind blew away the shallow snow, creating small vortices that dissipated swiftly in the air. However, on the snow left on the frozen ground that the wind could not scour C Kung C! Orc footprints had been engraved. A castle with sturdy gray walls stood in the path of the Orc army. Jevarsch, built like an iron fortress, denied them passage. Soldiers and Knights stood atop the wall, facing off the Orcs arrayed below. Their gazes were heavy with murderous intent. The confrontation had entered a quiet lull, like the calmness before a storm. But the tension in the air continued unabated, like a taut bowstring. Not yet. Observing that the war hadnt broken out yet, Callius folded his telescope and put it away. Why are you looking at me like that? I told you to become a hero, not to become a murderer. I cut him down to become a hero. You couldnt rein in your temper and killed somebody, and now you say it was to become a hero! Was that why I taught you swordsmanship! Its not that I couldnt rein in my temper. He kept provoking me, and in the end, he even asked for a sword duel. Callius agreed to the duel, and the result was C A new sword now hung from his waist. The swords name was Zornik. Named in honour of the recently deceased Zornik. Poor guy. And I didnt learn my swordsmanship from you, old teacher. Sometimes Im afraid of you. Bernard shook his head. Actually, Im often surprised by my own talent. You mean your talent for murder? In the current situation, a talent for killing seems quite fitting. In response to Callius playful reply, Bernard took the pipe out of his sleeves. Taking Rakan out from its scabbard, he lit the pipe with a lightning spark. Soon, the acrid smoke of tobacco began wafting out. Are you trying to send a signal to our enemies that youre here? This much doesnt even count, you bastard. I know better than you how great the Orcs sense of smell is! . Callius, speechless, looked around. Bruns was following at his back. Emily, Allen, Aaron, and the other Knights were all lined up behind. The number was about forty. Including the Knights who had followed Zornik. But it was a fair duel, wasnt it? You didnt have to kill him. It doesnt matter as long as I kill more Orcs to make up for his share. Wasnt he still a relative, even if distant? No idea. Is that something the family scapegrace should care about? . This time, Bernard was at a loss for words. Callius rolled his eyes at his unbelieving gaze. To be honest, there was nothing to be sorry about. The other party began the argument first, and he only fought because he asked for a duel. To be honest, he didnt even need to kill the guy, but somehow or other it just happened that way. Maybe I did get a bit overheated. I have some regrets too. [Zornik] Grade C Life Sword. Inhabited Soul C Zornik von Jervain. If only Id killed him after he grew up a bit more, he mightve been able to reach the Spirit Sword stage. Was it because he got killed before he fully bloomed? The Carcass of Zornik did not rise to the ranks of Spirit Swords. Im sorry, but what I can do? Whats done is done. Was it because he was getting closer and closer to Jevarsch? The Scapegrace characteristic kept trying to rise up and dominate Callius mind. The more swords, the better, but only up to three. He didnt need more. Callius tried to hold Zornik between his teeth, and then spat it out. Are you doing something crazy again? Never mind. Instead, he looked closely at the sword. Short blade. A size that could fit into one hand. For throwing. It was a throwing dagger. If it had been as big as his body, he wouldve given it away to any of the knights who wanted it. However, since it was small and easy to throw, Callius kept it as useful. Oh, and of course C Zorniks own pair of swords did not disappear along with his own body. So, his greatsword went to Aaron. His broadsword was handed over to one of the Knights whod followed Zornik. What was your name again? Its Jack. He was the leader of the group of Knights whod followed Zornik. Thinking he might protest otherwise, Callius had given him another broadsword comparable to the one Zornik had. Pilgrims and Knights were always searching for a better sword. Jack, who had been bought by the price of one sword, quietly followed Callius. Of course, the sword was not the whole reason for following Callius, but the rest of it was obvious. Rather, they now faced a different problem. What are we going to do? What else? We have to get into the castle, either by breaking through the front or by some trick. At first glance, the great army investing the castle seemed to number in the thousands. Common Orcs, as well as Orc Warriors. And at their head, red hair that signified a Great Orc Warrior could be seen from afar. Could they break through an army of that size? With only forty or so Knights? Nonsense. Well have to wait until dawn. I guess so. We probably wouldnt be doing anything until dawn. Callius quietly looked at the faraway Orcs dotted on the snow, one by one. Especially that red hair. The Great Warrior. No. To be honest, maybe it looked a bit like him, but he couldnt say for certain. It was too far away. But hed find out soon. That one wasnt the type to die so easily. The dark night sky. The north wind grew sharper as time passed. Its sting getting worse and worse as the sun went down. Camping in this weather C Was asking to be frozen to death. But they had to. Its really harsh to not even light a fire. I think Im getting frostbite. If a Knight in the North gets frostbite, its time to retire. Just wrap it up tight. It was a conversation between Allen and Aaron. At some point, the two had become quite friendly. However, the icy weather of the North did not show any signs of friendliness. This was wartime. They couldnt set up a camp to rest, and couldnt even light a bonfire. They had to depend on the moonlight, accustom themselves to the darkness, and stay up all night with wide open eyes, searching for an opportunity. Callius. What. If you want to become a hero, why dont you become the bait and catch their attention? Am I such a goody-two-shoes? Wed love you if you were. If you die, Ill turn you into a sword, cherish you for the rest of my life, regularly dust you clean, and then pass you on to Emily. Stop saying unlucky things. At Bernards joking chuckle, the faces of Callius and the nearby Knights softened. However, the sharp wind blowing like knives quickly brought back their frowns. Well freeze to death if we go on like this. Arent old men supposed to be wise? Give us an idea or something. Do you think old people can be sharp-witted? Elderly wisdom tends to be forgotten with time. Im an old man who cant even remember what he ate for breakfast, so what exactly do you want from me? Ttt. Callius, silenced, contemplated how to deal with this situation. The entire area around the castle is occupied by the Orcs. What should I do? How can I enter the castle safely and with least damage? Is there no way to safely join the forces inside Jevarsch? He kept turning the problem over in his mind. However, he couldnt find a good solution. Callius, who was wearing the Cloak of Twilight, stroked the pommel of his sword, exhaling a white breath. It was a troubled night. He lifted his head up to the sky, at the starlight pouring down. Despite the situation on the ground, the stars above still peacefully emanated their own light, and the river of stars curled together to form the Milky Way. That was then C Huk! Huung! He could hear a sword cutting through the wind. Walking through the forest, he could see Emily wielding a sword from afar. Even though most of the Knights crouched on the ground to preserve their body heat, Emily was swinging her sword so hard that steam was rising from her body. If you sweat, youll get frostbite. I cant miss a day of training. I always swing my sword like this before I go to bed. It was Bruns. Hed approached Emily as if he was curious. You can learn by watching. If youre a servant, shouldnt you be aiming to become a Knight? Im pretty satisfied with being a servant though? No ambition Beautiful but practical. Jervains swordsmanship emphasized simple and practical movements. However, something else was mixed in it. A splendid swordsmanship that emphasized speed and changeability, was mixed with the Jervain sword. A swordsmanship that resembled Callius. Jervains restrained swordsmanship, and such splendid speed and flexibility hiding within it. Its like watching a tiger tearing apart a flower garden. It was Jack whod spoken. Jack, who had a large scar on his lips, praised Emilys swordsmanship with the unique flowery style of aristocratic speech. But there were quite a few parts that Callius thought were overkill. You praise her too highly. Children at this age are easily influenced by people close to them. Callius didnt know what Jack meant by that. Emilys swordsmanship was indeed very similar to that of Callius. Her talent was enough to imitate the swordsmanship of Callius just by seeing it a few times. The swordsmanship Ive been struggling with for years Was it so easy to put into your own sword? It was hard to believe that she was only a twelve-year-old. She also put in enough effort, so it was no shame to call her a true genius. My apologies. Id heard of Lady Emilys genius, but seeing it up close, it is even sadder. He was a talker. Was it because his lips were torn? Callius sympathized with his words as he thought about it. Emilys swordsmanship wasnt perfect, but she was still able to find her way without a guide. When it came to swordsmanship, such talent was not commonplace. However, disappointingly, the divine blood to support that talent was blocked. If only her divine blood had flowed freely, she would have been able to face more powerful enemies with the protection of divine power around herself. With the body of a child An Orc? It would be difficult to catch just a single beast. Callius fell into an internal struggle as he looked at Emilys swordsmanship and considered the upcoming war. Annoying little kid. Somehow, we two became entangled with each other. Theres nothing special about it, not some deep friendship or relationship, but theres a bond from being together up to this point. That talent is just too good to be left alone. Maybe I can help her out a little? Even Bernard seems to care about Emily for some reason. Emily. Follow me. Suddenly? Where are we going? Her training interrupted; Emily frowned. But she still followed him without hesitation. She would not have followed him in the past, but at some point, the heart of the girl full of aspirations had recognized him. He was not just some simple maniac and scapegrace like his reputation. No, in the girls mind, Callius was already not a scapegrace. As they went deeper and deeper through the quiet forest path, they found a suitable cave. Go in. Are you trying to lock me up? Is there any benefit to me in locking you up? Stop talking nonsense and go in. Even with Callius push, Emilys feet did not move easily. The girls front teeth bit her lower lip, and her arms squeezed the hem of her trousers. Youre doing this because Im getting in the way of the war! A normal person would console her at this point saying that wasnt the case, but Callius wasnt someone normal. So you know, thats good. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 38 Divine power flows throughout this world, to the extent that every citizen of a country may have divine power simply by virtue of being born in a country serving a God. However, just having divine power is not enough for it to be used. Skill in its use and growth in power can only come from tireless and repeated effort. But sometimes, there are people like Emily, born with a disability. Originally, divine power revolves around the outer parts of the body, and you have to pull it in and circulate it inside your body. So the first step was to pull it into your body, but thats where Emily was stuck. So its just a matter of piercing that blockage. Puduk. Emily, who had her teeth bared, pretended to be calm and awkwardly tried to assume a relaxed posture. Ill be fine! I wont hold you back! Im confident Ill fight better than Bruns. Comparing yourself to something like Bruns is already proof that youre holding me back. Bruns would have shed some big fat tears if hed heard the conversation, but fortunately, only Callius and Emily were present. Are you going to throw me away? Make me wait here for the war to end? Youre saying something strange. I never picked you up. I never picked you up, but now Im throwing you away, isnt that absurd? Youre being difficult on purpose, you freak. Then Ill talk straight like a freak. I approached Emily and stretched out my hand, shining with divine power. What, what are you doing? I will pierce your divine blood. Uh? Divine blood? Suddenly? Like you said, in your current state, youre only going to hold me back in battle. So I have to make you useful, even if only a little. Thats absurd. The Lord tried to help me, too. The Church said that a long time ago, they could pierce the divine blood by pouring holy water all over the body Now they had no more holy water. Making it impossible. Thats what Emily would have heard. But. I can. Only me in this world. But it wasnt as simple as it sounded. Artificially piercing the divine blood could easily cause complications. And if the pierced blood didnt heal, divine power would leak everywhere, mixing with the blood, accumulating blood pressure and causing death in the end. So, the first requirement C Had to be a person who could precisely manipulate their spirit power. And the second requirement was for them to be someone the patient could trust. The divine blood was the second most important part a Knight had to protect, after their head and heart. And finally C One had to be able to completely heal the divine blood that had been pierced. In short C Someone with access to holy water. And Callius was the only person in Carpe who met all these conditions. Although some holy water would be wasted, it was enough if he made some more later. Valtherus Tears could be nurtured if certain conditions were met, and Callius was somebody who knew all those conditions. This battlefield isnt going to be fatal enough for me to need holy water three times. Id be lying if I said this is worth it, but its a kind of investment. As an adult, and as a Pilgrim wielding a single sword, its my duty to make sure that this young, fragile seed can germinate with a solid foundation. A fragile girl who realizes her own weakness more than anybody else, and disguises her earnest wish not to be abandoned with an incongruent serenity. So that Emily can bloom properly C Give me your wrist. Can I really trust you? If youre fine with living like this for the rest of your life, you dont have to. Emily pondered for a moment, before reaching out. Im a Jervain. Its not death that Im afraid of. I didnt ask you. Ask me! Fine, what are you afraid of? Uselessness. Im more afraid of that. So, Callius. So, I C Make me useful. Then I will tell you one thing. You will become another useful sword for me. Emily nodded her little head. Soon, Callius divine power permeated into the girls body. Heuk! As the arrant divinity suffused her whole being, the girl was sweating profusely. Unfamiliar pain and torpidity assaulted her in tandem as pure divine power cleared the pathways for the divine blood to flow for the first time. However, at some point C Emily got used to the pain. No, for the first time in her life, she felt the euphoria of power flowing through her. Dont get too excited. As much as Emily was sweating, Callius was sweating as well. Because Emilys condition was more serious than expected. Its not just one place thats blocked. As if someone had done it intentionally, her divine blood was blocked in several places. It was not a problem that could be solved in just one go. Im going crazy. I started with a light heart, but as things progressed, anxiety began to creep in, like a serpent slowly raising its head from hibernation. Even the thought that I might die here if I made a single mistake instead of in the coming war, filled my head. Emilys divine blood was pierced again. Ouch! Perhaps in excruciating pain, Emily immediately spewed out some blood. The satisfaction of divine power flowing into her divine blood disappeared, and her complexion was pale as if she was about to die. Not yet. It was still too early for her to drink the holy water. Be patient. A full seven out of the hundred blood vessels had been clogged. She had to wait till he pierced them all. Callius shoulders, with his hands on Emilys back, were heavy. However, he had to continue. If he stopped now, Emily would die without even being able to bloom. Kung! There was a ripple of shock as if something had exploded inside her body. Ugh! Patter. The dripping blood and its thick scent tickled his senses. But not yet. The end was still far away. Immediately, he pierced the next blockage. Kung! Kung! Kuung! The small body staggered as if it couldnt stand the pain. This must have been enough to cause even a grown man to cry and ask him to stop. Ugh, ugh! But Emily still tried to endure it. Even a little girl was trying so hard, so how could he show a weak heart? Finally, he managed to finish piercing all the blocked divine blood. A time of unpausing toil had passed in heavy silence, but it was not in vain. Callius, who had succeeded in his task, took out the holy water. Drink. Slurp. Damn. Though hed thought she was holding up well, Emily suddenly lost consciousness. Already unconscious Her eyes were pale, and the black blood shed spat out was enough to wet the floor. Her condition was worse than expected. Somehow, she lost consciousness even though she didnt make a single moan from the time he pierced the fifth blockage. Callius immediately fed her more holy water. Putting his fingers in her mouth, pouring holy water, and pressing on her tongue. Forcing her to drink. But was it because he was too careless? Come on, breathe Emily stopped breathing. Callius cursed and took a long breath. Kohok![1] Cough! Cough! Emilys complexion, which had become pale after vomiting a mass of black blood, slowly returned to normal. An hour later, Callius grabbed the girls wrist and began passing his power into her. Not only giving her his own energy, he even began to guide her own divine power. Along the pathway of the divine blood, the divine power gradually gathered from the outside and circulated, little by little, little by little, to the centre. Towards her Elixir Field. Look at this. With just a little guidance, she was already taking the initiative. Taking to the process like a fish to water. Dont get excited. The pathway of Emilys divine blood, which had just been pierced, was still not completely cleared. If you run too fast, you are more likely to get hurt. It is more difficult to heal internal wounds than external ones. Now that holy water was available, those could be cured easily, but there was no need to foster such bad habits from the start. Callius guided Emilys power for an hour or two so that the divine blood that had been pierced would not be blocked again. Around the time when the drops of sweat had cooled down and settled all over his body C Gradually, a soft light began to shine. From Emilys body. A soft light signifying the flow of divine power. Done. The man removed his hands from the girls body and raised his eyes sharply. His eyes were dark and his skin flaky, as if he hadnt slept for three or four days, but he had no regrets. Its brilliant. The girl in front of him was covering the world with a dazzling gleam. An effulgence of silver C Like a flower, blooming. Kuuuung C! The gigantic form fell down. Its fur was matted with blood, and the leathery skin covered with sword scars. Its all raggedy. Still, I did well enough. So praise me. Its useless. Its not a technique to tear up the opponent like this. Its a technique to cover up a one-shot skill inside a dozen other normal skills. Youre just nagging. Its fine because I got it in the end! On the battlefield, are you only going to kill one guy? If so, then its fine. Tsk. In front of Emily was a huge bear with horns on its forehead. It was a demonic beast that was the original owner of the cave that Emily and Callius had entered. It was a perfect opponent for Emily, who had finally pierced through her divine blood. A bit too enthusiastic, but not bad. It was the first time in her life that she was dealing with spiritual power, so how could that be? Even so, her talent was real. The girl was already gathering her divine power inside the Elixir Field. But it wasnt harmful. Not all swordsmanship is learned from others. There were many types of swordsmanship among the Knights. Congenital, and acquired. Many of them started as Squires of other Knights, learned how to hold a sword, and learned swordsmanship through training and guidance. Most of the time, that was the normal approach. But not for Emily. The young girls talent was that dazzling. Emily was a born Knight. A talent that no one could teach. To put it simply, she was a child who could take care of herself even if left alone. If you just stop her bad habits, shell soar quickly. Unlike himself. This unlucky guy. What? What did you say? We cant even eat its meat anyway, so lets just peel off the skin as a souvenir and go. And this? You have good eyesight. The horns of horned bears can be made into artifacts, so its better to collect them. Theyll be useful. Callius turned over the bears body with one hand and began skinning it. As if it was not something he had done once or twice, the skin was completely peeled off in the blink of an eye. It was not something that could be done easily if you didnt have moderate strength and dexterity. You do the horns. Yeah! Callius handed his dagger to Emily. The horns were easily harvested with Zornik. Leave the skin to Bruns. Hes uselessly good with leftovers. Yeah! Are we leaving now? Right. The day was already bright. The mornings were late in the North. Theyd gotten delayed more than expected. Lets go. Yeah! Callius! Long shadows trailed after the dark-haired man and the girl accompanying him as they walked under the light of the dawn. In a while. Returning to the makeshift camp, Callius was immediately summoned by Bernard. Bernard took out the pipe from his mouth and puffed out smoke. What is it? So early in the morning? The problem is its morning. What did you do with Emily! What would I have done with that little kid? Tell me the truth!! Did you swallow a foghorn?[2] His shout was like thunder. Callius, covering his ears, confided what had happened last night before the old man made even more noise. What her divine blood?! Yeah. I did a good job, so stop looking at me like a paedophile. I cant believe it! What kind of ability did you use to pierce Emilys divine blood! I dont know if its something else Did you think I would have pierced something other than her divine blood? Really, you didnt, right? Fuck, what do you see me as? As Callius spat out a curse, Bernard put down the pipe as if he was sorry. And started running right away. He seemed to be rushing to see Emilys condition. There was nothing wrong with that per se, but it highlighted the (lack of) credibility of a famous maniac. After Callius waited for a while with his arms folded, Bernard finally came back with a smile on his face, and said: Callius. Youve never been a kind person to anyone Ive seen. I dont know how you did it, but I have to ask you this. Whats the purpose of piercing Emilys divine blood? It was just a whim. I, too, had scrutinized Emilys clogged divine blood carefully. Even a Paladin in the Masters realm would have said that it was up to God to fix it. It must have been no easy task. Right? Thats right. Emily almost died along the way. And Im exhausted, too. I think you already know, right? What do you mean? What do I know? Stop playing the fool. I know your personality, so Im sure that you wont suffer that much for just somebody in the family. So Im guessing that youve noticed. If thats the case C Did Emily tell you? That in fact, you C You are her father. Editors Notes: [1] This might be CPR, but the text doesnt go into detail. [2] ????? ?? ??? (lit. did you bake and swallow a trains smokestack) is an idiom meaning one sounds like a foghorn. Chapter 39 Callius stiffened. I father? He stared at the ceiling of the hut with an empty gaze. Didnt you know? No. How am I supposed to know? I cant believe it even after hearing it myself. Uh then just forget what I just said. As if I can forget about it! Bernard coughed at his sarcastic reply. Thinking about it, he let out a bewildered laugh. I was going to tell you when the time was right Why did you do something like this? So its my fault? Well, its not a bad thing. You even pierced Emilys divine blood, something that no one else could do! How overwhelming must it be that it was her father who managed it! Now that child has been rid of her biggest anxiety. Bernard tried to cover up his mistake! How effective! A splendid attempt at lightening the mood. Unfortunately, Callius was not swept away by the refreshing atmosphere. Are you sure its my kid? A kid I dont even know of, how could it be mine? Im sure as can be that shes your child. I heard the story from the Count himself. Inhaling from the pipe again, Bernard started speaking slowly, exhaling puffs of smoke. It was a dawn just before sunrise. A strong and bleak wind was blowing through the North, much like today Stop blabbering and come to the point. Dont test my patience too much. You damn kid. Bernard, whod spat out a curse, left the pretence behind and cut to the chase. Ten years ago, someone left Emily with the family. The Count immediately searched for the mother of the child that had been left behind, and found her identity. Who was she? It was the attendant of a young noblewoman named Ailee who left Emily behind. Ailee? Its a pretty common name. Which familys daughter was she? Berriaren. She was a barons daughter, Ailee de Berriaren. Ailee de Berriaren. She was from a noble family located in the South, whose lands are famous for blueberries. How did you meet that young girl? Thats what I want to ask. Callius. How old was this bastard? Callius age now Twenty-six. So, he slept with the young lady when he was about fourteen?[1] Or rather, the one who is now me, did that. This guy deserved to be called the prodigal son of the Church. But I dont feel particularly good. I got the responsibility without any of the fun. Thats fucked up. A passionate night with a young lady, whom I cant even remember. Emily was born from that joining. Ailee ugh. All of a sudden, foreign memories come rushing in. A womans face. Her terrible complexion only adds to my confusion. It feels like my head is going to split. Id hoped not, but I guess its true. Damn Callius. Does Emily know? She knows. She knows that her father is a maniac who ruined the family name, and is also called the prodigal son of the Church. Damn it Callius covered his face with both hands. It was only now that all of Emilys reactions so far began to make sense. No, honestly, shes not my child. She is Callius child. So, I dont have to feel this guilt and this sense of obligation. Obviously, thats the case. But C Now I am Callius. Hoo C He took a deep breath, wiped his face and looked at Bernard. What should I do now? Why are you asking me that, you bastard? Now that you know the truth, be nice to Emily. That, Ailee No, where is the young lady Ailee? Ssss-haaa. Bernard, exhaling another puff of smoke, looked at Callius with bitter eyes. Seems she died. Unfortunate. Then there was only one person left in this world who Emily could depend on. There was only Callius. Theres no way that Count Jervain would have behaved as her grandfather. He could understand why Emily was so close to Bernard. But why did Bernard love that child so much? Because shes my child His thoughts were a mess. He didnt know how to untangle this tangled web of relationships. What are you going to do now? What do you mean? Its not the right time, but youve found out anyway. Since thats the case, youll have to start getting your act together as a father from now on! A twelve-year-old daughter suddenly popped up. Do you think I can just accept it that easily? To be honest, I dont feel any shame. Emily is a child born of the original Callius, and she is not mine. Hey! How could such words come out of a fathers mouth! If you are the man with the dick, you must take responsibility! How do I become a father? What should I do? I have no idea. You must have some idea, dont you? No, because I dont have children either? Yes? What did you do all your life that you arent married even in this age? I devoted my all to the God, Valtherus. Damn it, youre useless. I really thought he could give me some decent advice Hmm So, why dont you two have a good meal together? When people eat something delicious, they naturally start talking about this and that, dont they? In this situation, where anything could happen any moment? Even if war breaks out, well still eat. Well still shit and piss. What difference does it make? And C Isnt a battlefield a place with an uncertain future? In my opinion, Emily Shes not the type to flinch from war. Her body will be itching to test its strength, since her divine blood has just been pierced. A twelve-year-old girl. Of course, if we reach the castle, we can stop her, but until then, there is nothing we can do. Okay. Its not my place to interfere. You knew pretty late, but youre still her one and only father. Good luck. Tuk, tuk. Bernard patted my shoulders and went out for a walk, or to hunt. This is driving me crazy. As I was pondering the situation for a while C Why did you call me again? Emily came. Why are you looking at me like that? I heard from Grandpa that you called me didnt you? That damned old man. I wasnt even mentally prepared, but he called Emily here with this timing? What, why are you staring at me like that? Looking at her closely, there were similarities. Emily was also quite beautiful, probably because Callius face didnt lose to anybody in handsomeness either. Fiery eyes[2], and jet-black hair. And the gray pupils that represented the girls bloodline. Although she was young now, in time she would bloom into a strong flower, capable of withstanding the harsh northern winds. How do you feel? You mean my body? Its good. It feels much lighter and stronger than before. Now, I can even win against the Orcs without poisoning them. Thats not what I was asking. I didnt know what to say. Bernard said that she already knew. But wasnt it a bit strange to suddenly call her my daughter? Then youre lucky. Dont worry, I wont hold you back. Its not that. Huh? Then what is it? Callius scratched the back of his neck in bewilderment. Have you eaten? No. Not yet. Then lets have dinner together. Suddenly? You usually tell me to go away and not disturb you. I thought you liked to eat alone. I thought so too. The only thing I could enjoy in this world was the food. Shit. I wanted to turn back time right now, but I didnt have that kind of an ability. I never thought she would be my daughter. Im giving you a special chance to eat together. What exactly is special Emily seemed troubled, as if she sensed the strange atmosphere. But after ruffling her own hair a bit, she nodded her head. Wait. I went out of the cabin and looked for Bruns in a hurry. Bruns! Yes, yes! What? Wheres the cloth bag? Its here. But whats going on I need some food. Is there anything suitable inside? Uh yes. There is some roe deer and wild boar meat from masters catch last time. Thats enough. Should I help? No, you keep doing what youre doing. Bruns was tanning the hide of the horned bear that Emily had caught. Because of the size, he was even having to work with a few of the nameless Knights, so I didnt ask Bruns to help this time. I have to do it. Due to the circumstances, I cant treat you to something great. Still, its the first meal the father and the daughter will have together. Its better if the father prepares the meal himself. Its not difficult. During the past few years, Callius had wandered all over Carpe, and ate well on his own. Something of this level was not difficult. Callius immediately lit the fire. Then, he affixed the whole of the meat and placed it over the bonfire. The quality of the meat itself wasnt bad. If so, how would it taste? The answer was that it depended on the spices. Because a large part of the flavour of food came from the spices. And Callius had the finest spices, bought in Tristar, in his hands. A variety, including precious ones like salt and pepper, to delight the senses. Perfect. Now it was just a matter of waiting. Would this be enough to reach Emilys heart by starting the attack through her stomach? Seemed doable. Oh, Callius. Are you cooking your food? The smell is something else. It looks delicious! Can I have some? It was Allen and Aaron. They thought he was pretty friendly, and they usually talked politely. But today was not a usual day. Callius looked at them with cold eyes. Youd better sod off. Oh, yep. Allen turned back right away, and Aaron also tried to turn around quickly but stumbled and fell in the process. Ugh. Due to Aarons enormous size, dust rose in the dry wind. Useless bastard. Go away right now. Yes, yep! Sorry! The dust flew in the air, but as expected, Callius was already far away with the smoked boar meat in hand. Whats the matter? Its nothing. I dont think its nothing. Eat this. Callius sliced ??the meat with a sharp knife and handed the piece to Emily on a plate. Oh, thank you. Eat it. They sat side by side on a fallen log and started eating. There was no conversation whatsoever. Only the sound of knives and forks, accompanied by the dry wind, could be heard. The rest was a deafening silence. What should I say? Emily was also being quiet for some reason. They didnt even make eye contact, just stared at their own plates as they ate. This kid must know Im her father What is she thinking? The more he thought about it, the more he felt at sea. Fighting an Orc Warrior seemed easier in comparison. Hed rather ask Emilys attendant what she liked. Where did your servant go? I dont think Ive seen her in a while. Shes dead. She was hiding but got hit blindly by an Orcs sword. I see. He hadnt known because he hadnt been interested. I guess you werent very close. Theyve been with me since I was little. Nia since I was five, and Wendy since I was seven. Not anymore, though. Is that so? Even so, it didnt show in her demeanour. Or else he wouldve found out before now. Had she been witnessing and enduring, with that small body, the deaths of those she loved? Even so, she never gave up, but kept swinging her sword and tempering herself. Strong. She was one strong kid. Why was a child so proud that she would accept the harsh storms of the world and the deaths of her loved ones, and quietly endure it all despite the pain? A child who did not even call her father, father; was afraid of being abandoned, and yet tried to prove herself with a sword. That child, was his own daughter. If it werent for that old man, I wouldnt have known for the rest of my life. Who would have thought that such a proud child was the daughter of a maniac? It seemed incredible. Its alright, though. Now I wont have let them depart in vain. Kug. Emily poked the last piece of meat with a fork, put it in her mouth and chewed. The child who had been imprisoned in a bandits den just the other day, became an adult within such a short time. A child who had gone through a lot at once, grew up to fit with her environment. But for some reason, Callius felt a pang in his chest at the sight. I ate well. It tasted good. If you want, we can do it again next time. Fine. Yeah. Emily handed him the plate back and stood up, holding her sword. What are you going to do now? Training! Was there another twelve-year-old girl in this world who could talk about training with such a bright smile? Then I That was then C Suddenly, the Knights started making a ruckus. Whats going on? I dont know either. But Master Bernards signal stopped Old man? Callius, who made eye contact with Emily, quickly grabbed his sword and ran out. As he widened his senses and found Bernards aura, a plain spread out before him as if waiting. Bernard was there. He was slowly pulling out his sword. Whats going on Ppuuuu C!! It wasnt Bernards voice that resolved Callius doubts, but the sound of horns from the battlefield. Its starting. The green waves straddling the pure white snow began to invade the gray castle. The war C It was about to start. Editors Notes: [1] Koreans count age, as a rule of thumb, one year more than how its done internationally. [2] ?? ??? ?? (lit. eyes full of guns), translating from context. Chapter 40 The Orcs have been meticulously accumulating their strength. Theyve prepared steadily, with their past defeats as a stepping stone. The roar of axes forged in bitter defeat had been mixed in the howling northern winds for many years. The North Wind carved through the flesh of combatants and engraved deep wounds on the castle walls. Aaaaaaah!! The sounds of screams resounded across the North. Kwaaang! As the Orcs advanced, giant demonic beasts also rushed by their side one after another. When the human soldiers tried to block the demonic beasts rushing to destroy the castle walls like living battering rams, they were brutally trampled. Still, Jervain is somehow holding on. The golden-haired man, with his black hood pulled all the way back, muttered as if in surprise. Throughout the long history of Carpe, Jervain alone has protected the North. No matter how prepared the Orcs may be, this is not a place to fall so easily. Ramatu of Krasion spoke in a fond tone. Habitually tapping the ground with his staff, he twisted his lips. To think that a family with such a glorious history is about to fall to the minions of the Empire. If you are a minion Why do you sound so broken-hearted? Ramatu clicked his tongue at Lutheons smirking tone. As expected, the elites of Jervain are all tied down in the East, so theres nothing they can do to help. Kuuuung C! You succeeded. Yes Ramatus eyes wrinkled at the corners as he stared at the castle walls with a bitter gaze. The castle that symbolized the North. Staunch Jevarsch, facing the rushing horde of giant demonic beasts that spent their lives to make even a single crack in its defence. However, the northern soldiers did not hesitate a moment to sacrifice themselves, blocking the advance of the Orcs and the demonic beasts. The battle raged on, fierce and terrible. Callavan, brother, whats your move? With a smile on his lips, Lutheon asked Callavan von Jervain, who stood at his back. Callavan bit his lips, as some indescribable emotion welled up within him. The important thing is timing. Thats right. Timing. Orcs dont seize the place, yet Jervain is destroyed! You have to take the castle at just the right time, sly like a serpent! Lutheon was making a scene. Seeing his antics, Callavan exhaled heavily and tried to speak. I Hwiiiiing C Oh. When Callavan was about to say something C Suddenly the wind changed direction. Soon, Ramatus lips drew into a thin line, and Lutheons eyes turned cold. Has he recovered already? That resilience is just like a Troll! Maybe he has some kind of divine grace. Tsk. Ramatu glanced at Lutheon to see if the latter might know something, but Lutheon shook his head with a look of disgust. He just grew further after his duel with Keltuk. Even if hes a maniac, a Jervain is still a Jervain. Haha Isnt it more fun this way? Not for me, at least. It isnt fun at all. Taking a final look at the jet-black hair and fluttering red cloak that mowed through the Orcs like a ravaging storm, Lutheon turned his back. But even so, it wont change anything. Ill take care of him myself. Chwaaaak! A sword that fell cleanly. Cutting through a green head. Not a single drop of blood stained the Predator Sword. A quickness incomparable to before. My body feels light. The sword in his hand was lighter as well. As if it had no weight whatsoever. As if it was part of his body, one with his arm. Thats how Callius felt. Although death had brushed close, his battle with Keltuk had also made him grow. Six Peak Flowers technique had risen to the next level, and even the martial skills of the Silver Flower Wave Sword could be used when convenient. Looking back on it with new eyes, his swordsmanship thus far had been cluttered and irregular. To abolish his old habits and re-establish a style again from scratch would be quite a cumbersome task. However, there was an army of Orcs spanning the horizons like a green sea in front of Callius. It was the perfect stage to get some practice. Seuk C! With a single stroke of his sword, Orc soldiers heads soared into the air. The sharp edge of the blood-soaked Predator Sword cleaved through hard skin and iron bones with ease. Captain is opening a path! Break through! Kill one more if you got time to talk! Callius sword dance boosted the morale of his followers, and the Knights swung their swords with vigour. But if somebody asked who stood out the most among them C Callius looked back at the Knights, each of whom was fighting fiercely. Among them, one left the most brilliant trace. A child, even with a form smaller than the others, was cutting a swath through the Orcs without hesitation. It was Emily. Pakpakpakpakpak. The scorching stings of her twin-edged rapier, coupled with her fox-like agility, allowed her to slowly but steadily defeat one Orc after another. No need to worry there. The more Emily experienced real battle, the stronger she would become. Much like himself. Emily was a hardy flower, slowly blooming on the blood-soaked battlefield. Callius! Chajijijik!! The nearby Orcs were suddenly submerged in a thunderous explosion. Bernard appeared, with even his beard looking disheveled. We have to move forward. Since were at this point, theres no turning back. Quickly! I know. Sreung. Callius, holding the Predator Sword, erupted with pure divine power. Sword petals appeared on the surface of the blade, and a strange silver light enveloped him. Lets go. Right! Silver Flower Wave Sword C Raging Flower Wave. A rush of silver petals, raging like stormy waves in a furious sea. Kwaaaaaaaa C! Chwajajajajajajaja! And a thunderbolt enveloping it all, spreading destruction wherever it touched. With a single technique, the Orcs were struck down under the storm and thunder. Kwaaaaang! Now! Immersed in the joy of battle, Bernard led the Knights forward. Move! If we dont break through now, theres no future for any of us! Go! Go damn it! Im going! Kahak! Hey! Allen, come to your senses! If you hesitate now, youll die! I know, Aaron! Those who fell, tried to tie down the enemies for the sake of those still standing. Those who fall, try to grab the enemys ankles, and those who do not, move forward. In that fierce and tangled battlefield, each individuals high and low justice clashed. However, in Callius eyes there were only those who blocked and those who wanted to break through, so he only kept cutting and slashing at the forefront. For the past three years, he had internalized the way to survive in this mad world. Cut, and you can live. A path can be opened just by cutting. Stop cutting, and you will die. A terribly simple logic. He had engraved it in his heart. There is an old saying, that children grow up by fighting. Because human beings mature by feeling various emotions and various pains as they strike others, are struck in turn, and keep fighting. Youve grown up. Elburton, standing on top of the fortress walls and looking down on the battlefield, thought that the old saying rang true. That kid had grown up. Looking at him, who would think he was the shame of the North? One who had been called a fool, now cleaved through the battlefield and opened a path. A new wind is blowing. Cough, cough! Elburton let out a bloody cough, but ignored it and kept looking only at Callius. The Knights following Callius, who pierced the flank of the Orc army, were breaking through the path straight to Jevarsch. And where that knot of melee battle unfolded C A silver flower was blooming. He pierced their flank, aiming for the moment when they were rushing forward. Its not some easy thing to do even with Bernard by your side. Bernard didnt have the kind of personality to make such a judgment. Perhaps it was Callius decision. He was lucky. He got the timing right. But without the ability to support it, it would have collapsed quickly. Yet Callius managed it. Now, he had reached the end of the Orc army ranks and was on the verge of joining Jervains soldiers. Was my judgment right or wrong to kick you out? Did you grow up like that because you were chased out? Or did you always hold such a possibility? Elburton shook his head at his meaningless thoughts. Those vague ideas had no significance anymore. He was the Jervain, who must protect the North, before he was the father of a maniac. It was time to sweep away those cloudy thoughts with a strong north wind, and act as the Master of the North. Tas. Kiiing! Jumping off the walls, the Supreme Ruler of the North unsheathed his sword. Kuung. A step, and his posture gave rise to a new wind. Huuuung C! The sword that accompanied the beginning of the North. The wind that sprang forth from the Storm Sword, Callis, cleaved the battlefield in half like the miracle of Moses. Step by step, his heavy gait carried him to the line separating the Orcs and the Jervain soldiers, his black hair and red cloak fluttering behind him. Callius. The eyes of the son, covered in green blood, did not consider his father worth looking at. So, the father, too C Did not treat him as a son. The war has just begun. Do you need a break already? No need. Then go get them. Sacrifice the heads of our enemies who ravaged the North! At Elburtons cry, the Jervain soldiers raised their swords towards the sky. And Callius, too C Turned his back on him again. Leaving behind Jevarsch, that he had barely reached after such hardship. Teok, teok. Haa Callius, who could not even take off his armour properly, sat down on a chair as if lying down to rest, placing his feet on an unknown piece of luggage strewn nearby and exhaling a long breath. Three days. In the battlefield that had lasted for three days, he had teetered between life and death dozens of times and had surpassed his own limit hundreds of times. It was not difficult to deal with the Orcs. Not just Orc soldiers, even Orc warriors were no longer difficult for him to deal with. Rather, they were just the right level for practicing and catching his own bad habits. The problem was them. The giant beasts. Who knew how the Orcs had tamed such beasts, but they now fought side by side. The beasts were the size of houses, so no matter how good ones sword skills were, a brief mistake in battle was enough to invite death. Of course, they were too big, so they had dull senses, and stabbing the eyes or a vital point could knock one down. Master, here, please drink some water. Gulp, gulp. Callius drank all the water from the bucket in one go, and started wiping the blood and sweat from his weapon with a wet towel. Good that you didnt die. Hehe, you know best how tough my lifeline is. Haha! Bruns survived until the respite that followed the long three-day battle. There were some shallow wounds on him, but compared to the soldiers and Knights strewn around all over the place, he still looked like he had physical strength to spare. How much longer will this go? I dont know. I dont know if this battlefield will go on for a month or even a year. Despite his words, he doubted itd last that long. From the enemies point of view, they wanted to quickly capture the castle before reinforcements arrived for the defenders. It was the Orcs who didnt have time. In contrast, the defenders only needed to weather the siege Has it been reduced by about half? The defending army had been reduced by half. Because the elites of Jervain were absent, and the numerical inferiority of their side was also evident. The situation was where they had only managed to avoid the worst outcome. How about the old man, and Emily? Both of them are resting. You never know when another fight will break out. Both suffered only minor wounds. Neither were seriously hurt. If you call that luck, then they were lucky. Ah, a Knight named Allen lost an eye. Hes still so young. Is that so. He lost an eye in the war. As a Knight, he was fortunate not to have lost his limbs, but it would take time to adapt nonetheless. And the other Knights who followed me? Itd be right to say that about half died. Right. Even skilled Knights died. Not all of them could live on. It left a bitter taste, but he couldnt help it. Because this was a battlefield. But from now on, more and more people are going to follow master. I heard the soldiers whispering, I could clearly see with my two eyes and hear with my two ears, they were singing masters praises! Bruns. Yep! Master! Theres been a lot of talk that master should be the new Lord of the North rather than that Callavan or Killavan or whoever! You dont need to worry! Noisy. Yep! However, Bruns was still all smiles. You dont even know when youll die, so why are you having so much fun? Itll all be over when you die. But wheres Callavan? Well. The soldiers didnt seem to know either. Hmm, I see. Fatalites Wheel. It probably had something to do with this quest. It doesnt really matter. Yes? What do you mean? Its nothing. [Fatalites Wheel] [A+] ??? If theres a knot, just cut it. Then the rewards will go up. Thats all I can think of right now. Anything else doesnt matter. There are things other than that that are much more worrisome. What I am most worried about C The most troublesome situation C Because it has reached the point where it cant be suppressed any longer. Callius von Jervain. A strong-looking old man, with wavy gray hair in a short ponytail, called to Callius. Nochtel. The butler of the Jervain family, whod sworn his lifelong allegiance to Elburton. Nochtel. His skills were on par with a Paladin. An old man who maintained an upright posture like a well-forged sword. A butler. At least, thats what he called himself. His Excellency is summoning you. Elburtons summons. Originally, I would have gone without protesting. But thats not who I am right now. Only one being can tell me to come and go as they please. The God in heaven, Valtherus, is the only one. So if the Count wants to see me, he must come to me directly. Go tell him, loyal dog. The characteristic, Scapegrace of the Count Family. Its started dominating my sense of self. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 41 Old man. This is a belief that Ive held since long ago. That human nature is inherently evil, rather than inherently good[1]. I cant prove which one is right, but I personally believe that human nature is innately evil. Was it not the humans who made the distinction of good from evil in the first place? From the moment good was defined, the primordial and instinctive actions of human beings were bound to be defined as evil. So I believe in the theory of innate evil. Honestly, Id rather not believe it. But I still think its right. What are you talking about so early in the morning? Bernard massaged his shoulders as if his whole body was sore, and rubbed his sleepy eyes. Somehow lifting his twitching eyelids, he looked at Callius. Man is inherently evil. So, what kind of shit was that all of a sudden huh, I see. Sighing, Bernard responded to Callius, whod been looking at him, without pondering the issue further. It could be, but at least I dont think so. Why not? If human nature is inherently evil, wouldnt this world be too difficult to live in? Wouldnt it be more convenient to think it as good even if it were evil? Hmm I try to think of it as evil though. Humans are inherently evil. However, by learning to live in society, you can know the wrongness of evil and restrain it. Because if you live within a society surrounded by laws, even if you end up committing an evil, you can still return to yourself. The principle of human behaviour is to not want to cause trouble. To be honest, its hard to say which theory is right and which is wrong. But at least in my personal opinion, the theory of innate evil is the correct one. So heres the question. Callius. Callius has a violent and promiscuous personality that is an ideal example for those who believe in the theory of innate evil. In terms of superficial behaviour, he is undeniably evil. I believe that humans are inherently evil, but they do good because they know the rules and norms of society. Then, why do those who do not do so, act outside the rules of society? In my view, because their heads are rotten. Yes. Callius has a rotten brain. Despite knowing good from bad, he repeated his stupid actions. Because he couldnt live up to his fathers expectations. Even though he was a direct descendant, he became a maniac and a scapegrace because he was constantly compared to the children of the collateral branch, and realized the depths of his own incompetence. There was no justification for his actions. Just because he wasnt good enough. Thus, an idiot named Callius was born into this world. That was his setting in the first place. I made him that way. But why are you asking that all of a sudden? I dont quite understand it. What? The heart of a maniac. What kind of nonsense are you spouting again Haa C With a sigh, I left Bernards tent. It was the crack of dawn. Leaving Bernard muttering madman behind me, I looked at Jevarsch from afar. The soldiers were busy since before the dawn, standing guard, and preparing to meet the rising sun. Shit. Just looking at them made me angry. A situation where the excitement of the battlefield had been dominating my body, a situation where Bernard had been in my front. If not for such a situation, I wouldve exploded in a frenzy every single moment I had been inside Jevarsch. Tuk. Oh! Im sorry! A soldier scuffed my shoulder as he walked by. He was holding a large stack of munitions in his hands. Looked like that he didnt see me in the way due to how high the munitions had been piled up. It was quite plausible and understandable. Isnt this a time of war? A soldier wouldnt normally dare touch me, but this just happened because of the emergency wartime situation. But C I drew my sword without any hesitation over such a trivial matter. Youre not somebody who can touch me. Irrespective of my own will, the trait of a maniac dominated my whole being. Ah! I, Im sorry! Please forgive me just this once!! As his neck neared the brutally drawn blade, the soldier fell flat and begged for his life. Callius naturally stepped on the soldiers head. So natural was the action that there was no way to stop it. You shall be forgiven. Th-, thank you? God in heaven will forgive all your sins. Saying that, Callius immediately struck down with the Predator Sword. Ugh, aaaaaah! The aura of murder emanating from Callius, honed from his three days of repeated slaughter in the battlefield, enveloped the soldier. The soldier, fallen on his back, peed himself at the sight of the blade hovering over him. Tch go away. Yeah yep! Ill go away!! Just before slicing off the soldiers head C Hed blocked his right hand with his left. This shitty trait. His left hand, which he had used to momentarily block his own sword arm with so much force, was tingling. The trait of a maniac demanded that he really kill that soldier with a single sword. The combination of his terrible traits put Callius in such a dreadful situation. The soldiers and the Knights performing their respective missions were looking at him in surprise. This is why I didnt want to come to the North. The coercion of his own character. The characteristic, Scapegrace of the Count Family, was holding him by the ankles and slowly taking over his body. The more he would approach the centre of Jevarsch, the more this dominance would grow. My notoriety will spread more widely. Jervains maniac, who theyd thought had awoken, did not actually change. The rumour would spread like this. Haa Notoriety doesnt matter however widespread it is, but the important issue is elsewhere. The real problem is that I cant control myself. Murmur, murmur. When I put divine power into my ears, whispers that I would not normally be able to hear were heard and interpreted by Bards Blessing. It wasnt very good. C They said he was a maniac Thats not the level of a maniac, thats just insane. C Shh, be quiet, or that crazy guy might hear. C I thought a war hero had come to save us So I heard. And as soon as I heard, my heart sank, because my crazy trait activated. Now isnt this because of the original Callius innate nature? I dont even know what that is. Thats why I didnt want to get close to Jervain. Were that all, Id have been able to endure it, but the fragments of Callius memories and emotions keep rushing in and making my blood boil. Memories of being ignored. Of enduring corporal punishments for committing adultery. Memories like that just keep coming to the surface of my mind. I need to look for a way to silence the trait. Or, leave here. Either one should have been an option, but unfortunately C [Fatalites Wheel] [A+] ??? The quest is still there. Theres no other way out. If you dont reach S-rank after coming all the way here, youll regret it for the rest of your life. If so, there is only one way. Find a way to suppress my traits. What if I cant find one? I pondered for a while, but there was no right answer. If I cant find one, theres nothing I can do. I have no choice but to keep living as a maniac. Nochtel. Did he really say that? Yes, thats right. Haha. The master of Jevarsch C Elburton von Jervain, was speechless at Nochtels response. Has he gone crazy? Maybe so. Still, I remember that he used to be respectful to the Lord in the past He didnt have that kind of spirit. Hed followed etiquette, although he had been confrontational and arrogant. No matter how much hed been expelled from his family and sent to the Church to become a Pilgrim, there was no justification for blatantly rejecting a request from the Master of the North. Hes crazy. This cant just be swept under the rug with that. No matter what happened in the past, his behaviour towards master No. Its better than being a dog wagging its tail in front of me. Yeah, thats how big his guts should be. Elburton suppressed a smile. Its better to be this bold than to look like an obedient puppy in front him like in the past. Besides, didnt he deserve to be proud? These last three days of dreadful battle. There, Callius had fully imprinted his existence on the northerners. In this War of the Wheel C He was a necessary talent for Jevarsch, and an indispensable sword for the North. He knows his own value best. Thats why hes doing this. He couldnt, otherwise. Elsewhere, this rudeness would have surely been punished. However, this was his original hometown. And C He must have a lot of resentment backed up. Where would that personality go? Haha. This is not the time to laugh No one else in the North can slander me like that. Strangely, Im not even mad. Elburton laughed bitterly. Nochtel was relieved and worried at the same time as he saw the smiling face of his owner. Theres no way he would have come back to the North if he didnt have that courage. Even I had underestimated my own son a bit. What are you going to do? If you leave it alone, it will harm the Lords status. If my sons being so arrogant, Ill also have to fulfil my responsibilities as a father. Will I not? Duruk. Elburton rose from his seat and left his office, heading towards the makeshift barracks inside the fortress grounds. Hes complaining about me now, but hell soon be heading somewhere else anyway. Where Youll see soon. Then all Ill have to do is watch. As the Master of the North arrived, all the Knights, as well as the soldiers whod been rushing about, bowed their heads. Because he was the Supreme Ruler of the North. Even though everybody within Jevarsch bowed their heads at Elburton when they saw him coming C Only one person did not. Only a man with dark hair and a red cloak kept his stiff neck straight. Callius. A voice that seemed to press down on his shoulders called for Callius. Even though it was just a voice, Callius felt more pressure than when hed faced the giant beasts. He wanted to bow his head in response. But the nature of a maniac rejected it. Was this due to his characteristics? Or was it the will of the original Callius? He couldnt judge. Youre still alive. However. One thing was certain. This feeling It was something from his past. Callius had hated it enough to live a life that his father had to endure watching. Youve grown so much. Enough to keep your neck upright in front of me. Callius did not respond to Elburtons words. He just quietly started drawing his sword. It feels good. Callius eyebrows rose. What do you mean that it feels good? While he was beset by such doubts C A man walked out from one side of the fortress. Are you alright? Father. It was Callavan. Editors Notes: [1] ???? ??? C the two conflicting schools of thought in Confucianism, that human nature is inherently good, vs it being inherently evil, were championed by the Warring States era Chinese philosophers Mengzi and Xunji, respectively. Mengzi believed that humans were by nature righteous and society was a bad influence on them, whereas Xunzi posited that humans were born evil and ethics was needed to rectify them. Chapter 42 Callavan von Jervain. A man who became an adopted child of the direct line while Callius was absent. Id met him once before inside the forest, but he wasnt a man I liked at all. Or rather, Callius didnt. And so C The tip of my sword naturally deviated to point towards Callavan. It wasnt like Id known he was going to show up, but things worked out. Elburton was wearing a strange a smile, but just seemed to be watching the show. Callavan. What were you doing while we were fighting? I didnt add his surname. This was not due to a characteristic. It just came out naturally. Not trying to suppress him, or something like that. Perhaps it was just the will of the original Callius. Because, he C Was crazy to the bone, after all. Still, he had been a Jervain, and proud of being a descendant of the direct line. Thats why he couldnt stand Callavan, here of all places. This was not the forest, but the centre of the Jervain territory. Because this place was Jevarsch Castle. Thats why, Callius will was expressing itself so strongly. What were you doing? Callavan kept his mouth shut. But it wasnt a silence stemming from admitting his faults. There were many types of silence. Most had negative connotations. Callavans silence proclaimed an injustice being done upon him. With a sullen face, and clenched fists. He was trembling. Not from fear. From anger. I am also grieved! The eyes of the Knights whod been squinting at him now opened wide at his sudden scream. Because I know that it is my responsibility to take the lead and protect the North more than anyone else! So I am even more grieved! Responding to the charges of sin with anger was a more effective tactic than expected. Because how it contrasted against his usual behaviour. The Knights understood his meaning without even having to be told. I am not in a position to speak of them right now, but there were some unavoidable circumstances. As I struggled to save the Knights immured in the White Forest, my response was delayed. But I shall do my part and dedicate my life in the coming war, for the sake of my pride as a Jervain of the North. So please refrain from these unnecessary disputes and suspicions. Haaa. What are you trying to say at a time like this? You mad, huh? The guy who farted is mad about the smell?[1] At Callius vulgur sarcasm, Callavan stared at him silently for a moment. Callius. I know of the brave deeds youve performed on the battlefield this time, but I am the current direct descendant of the Jervain family. Dont be so impudent. Thats what he meant. You said you couldnt fight for unavoidable reasons, but you heard of my deeds. Did you really hear them? Or did you see them in person from afar, trembling like a coward? Sreung! Callavan pulled his the sword from his waist and pointed it at Callius. I cannot stand any more insults. What if you cant stand it? Are you going to throw down your gloves? Throwing down your gloves signifies that you are asking for a duel. Callius had nothing to fear in that regard. Hed gained confidence in his new skills, and his abilities were finally crystalizing[2]. He mightve gotten sick of using them for the war, but a fight with Callavan would be a good test of his strength. Bernard once said that he might be an enemy. That Elburton himself was suspicious of Callavan. Judging from that, he was probably the main culprit behind this situation. There was nothing good about keeping an enemy alive. Once a traitor, always a traitor. Those who would devour the northern parts of the Carpe Kingdom must be destroyed, root and branch. Only then the North, and Carpe C And I C can keep living. While everyone was frozen in silence C Callavan looked at Callius with sad eyes and turned his back on him. A lot of blood has already been spilled. Theres no need to spill more between us. Are you running away? If my blood and Jervains blood should be shed anywhere, then its on the battlefield, not here and now. Callius. Ttt. Callius clicked his tongue and sheathed his sword. Aristocrats cant be afraid, so you have to dress it up to sound dignified. Is that it? Callavans footsteps stopped for a moment at Bruns sarcastic comments, but soon they started moving again. Bruns was of course completely useless, but for now, Callius lips curved in an arc. Seuk, seuk. Oooh, this sword is really amazing. This red colour is weirdly ominous, like its covered in blood. Next to Callius, who was sitting cross-legged on a chair, Bruns was sitting on the ground, sharpening a sword with a whetstone. Predator Sword C Loas. There was also Lucen, that Callius had taken from Esther, nearby. As the truce stretched longer and longer, Bruns had gotten anxious because he had nothing to do. This morning he said hed found a good whetstone, and hed been doing this since then. Its done! Master, take a look at this. A great job, even if I do say so myself! Well Predator Swords sharpened their own blades naturally when they absorbed blood. So Bruns didnt even need to use a whetstone, but Not bad. Right? As it climbed into the ranks of Spirit Swords this time, the blade that had been serrated like a saw had changed into a normal shape. It had become an impressive sword with a blade tinged with red, engraved with wave-like patterns that resembled animal teeth. Reminiscent of the sharp maw of a growling beast. It was a pattern that well befitted the name of the Predator Sword. Well done. Its nothing special! Heh heh! It was funny how he kept trying to prove his worth. The variety of his talents was nothing short of amazing C although there was no talent in swordsmanship among them. By the way, master. What. You dont need this sword anymore, do you? Why do you ask? Bruns was talking about Lucen. Since there was the Predator Sword, the lower ranked Lucen was no longer necessary. He kept wearing it around his waist as a spare, but ever since the Predator Sword had become a Spirit Sword C He hadnt needed to take it out. During the war, there were many times when he passed by Bruns while running around frantically and wielding his sword. Bruns knew it, so thats probably why he was bringing it up. Do you want it? I dont really want to give it to Bruns. Even if I dont use it anymore, its still a very meaningful sword for me. No. I already have my dagger. Besides, Im not good at wielding a longsword. Then why? Miss Emily. Emily? Emilys name somehow cropped up. I heard her mumble that the sword shes using has become too light. Is that so. That might be the case. The blockages in her divine blood has been cleared, and that child prodigy is now walking her own path by manipulating her spirit power. Of course, her physical ability has also increased exponentially, so her original double-edged rapier would no longer be suitable. Thats something I hadnt thought of. Bruns is quite smart. Even at the aspects that I dont care about. Of course, a father should take care of that kind of inconvenience. Even if the word father is still awkward, and even if I dont think of her like a true daughter. Either way, hes really sharp-witted. If only there was some talent for swordsmanship, he would have been much more useful. Thats the saddest part. His body is naturally well-forged with strong bones and muscles, so he has the strength and stamina to never get tired, but he has no talent for swords Its not that I havent taught him. After that day, whenever I had time, I gave him a sword and trained him. But his swordsmanship didnt grow. No. Even if its not the sword If he turns to martial arts like Cedric, learning even a little will make him more useful. Callius looked at Bruns with curious eyes. Send him to Cedric, and ask to make Bruns useful. Cedric already owes me enough that he cant refuse. Why, why are you looking at me like this? Am I doing something wrong? No. Cedric is yet to return. It will take at least a year. Besides, now is not the time to think about that. Callius shrugged off his thoughts about Bruns and pulled out Lucen that Esther had given him. Life Sword C Lucen. A spare sword. A sword given to him by Esther. The proof of her defeat at his hands. There were many such modifiers, for example the sword with which he used his martial skills for the first time. However, it was now a sword that was not used often, because of the overwhelming superiority of the Predator Sword in comparison. Take it. Whirlick. He smoothly turned the sword and offered the handle to Bruns without hesitation. Why not give it directly He had a keen eye for detail. He seemed to have already noticed that there was some connection between Emily and Callius. After all, Bruns had been present when Callius first met Emily. Well. This sword must also want a master whod use it more. So you can pass it on. Giving it directly would be a little different. Things were still a bit too awkward between them. Now, whats up with Callavan? Oh, I dont know the details, but anyway, hes going to take command in the next battle and lead the troops on the battlefield he was babbling about honour. I see whats going on. From Elburtons point of view, theres really no excuse for kicking Callavan out, since he had been the one to adopt him as a son and even appoint him as the next Lord. The only sin he committed was to not join the battlefield sooner. It cant even be called a sin. The trait of a maniac was activated while we argued so Id spoken of him that way, but thats all it was. Since no problem has been revealed to the outside, its natural for him to have the power of command. Perhaps Elburton is waiting for me to do something about it. That attitude of trying to test me is like hes my superior. But its a reasonable attitude. Unlike before C Even if Im still the same family idiot, theres a clear difference between one who has a use and one who doesnt. Bruns. Yep! The guy you said was injured last time. Oh, you mean Allen? Didnt he hurt his eye? Unless you reach a certain level C If you injure one eye, you wouldnt have gotten used to the changed depth perception so soon. Call him. Yeah, okay. Then this, I Take it to Emily. Yes! I will obey your order! Stop making a fuss. While I was observing the map of the battlefield spread out on the table with a grin, I heard somebodys voice. Come in. The tent cloth was lifted. A boy with blonde hair entered, looking a little anxious and perplexed. I heard you called for me. Right. One eye was covered with a bandage. The white bandage was stained with blood as if the wound hadnt healed yet. Is your body alright? Im fine! Just how a Knight should answer, even if he were on his last legs. Although he was young, he was a Knight. Then Im glad. I have a mission to entrust to you. Give me your order. I will do whatever Master Callius orders. Good. It was for the quest, but saving the lives of the Knights was repaid by the loyalty they showed me. A debt of life must be repaid with life. Thats how the Northern Knights are. Do you know Callavan? Yes. Hes probably got command of the battlefield this time. Ill probably have to go to the area he assigns to me. Ill either be assigned to a place to make a last stand, or asked to wait without any chance of being active. Since there are Knights following me, there is a possibility that he will treat them as expendable troops and entrust them with absurd and bizarre missions. If he points his sword at me, I will do the same. By that you mean Im going to kill Callavan. !!! No matter how the quest progresses, killing him is already a fact. I have to kill him. But not right now. You just spread the rumours. Jervains enemy. And Callius, who says he wants to kill the adopted son from the collateral branch. If I do that, and he harms Master Callius Now that he has command, he might try to drive me to a dangerous corner. There is a high probability of that happening. Then! However, I rather welcome that possibility. Its not bad. Its better than taking orders from a chain of command with him at the top. The trait of a maniac is quiet now, but you never know when itll act up again. Rather, its better C To stay away from Jervain. I dont know. Its hard to follow your wisdom, Master Callius. Then you can just see it with your own eye. How my plan unfolds. Even just one eye will be enough for you to see. What my orders will cause. So now is the time to spread the word. Going by the character of the guy C He will self-destruct on his own. Editors Notes: [2] ?? ??? (lit. water rising) refers to plants or trees, frozen during winter, reviving in the spring. As a metaphor it is used to signify that some situation or ability has improved. The next sentence uses ??? ?? (lit. desired sea) to refer to a fight or argument youre hoping for, which might be a wordplay by the author (sea, water). Unfortunately, that cant really be preserved in translation. Chapter 43 Murmur, murmur. The soldiers spoke in hushed whispers as they watched Callavan pass by. A coward whod fled the battlefield. A thief who later barged in and usurped command. There were many different stories floating around, but the hottest among the soldiers was only one. Master Callius He planned to kill Callavan. Such rumours were spreading all over the place. At a time when the Orcs might attack the very next moment, would the armys discipline not be shaken by such a mischievous rumour? It was the commanders duty to strengthen the failing discipline by quashing such rumours right away. But C Callavan didnt do that. Master Callavan. Shouldnt you take action? If not, you have to at least teach that bastard a lesson One of the Knights following Callavan advised, but he didnt care. Hes playing a trick. If we get thoughtlessly tangled up, things will flow in just the direction he wants. Oh, I see. Despite his words, Callavan was not without worries. Who knew if that fucking bastard would suddenly go into a frenzy and attack him in his sleep or something? If only he disappeared, Callius would become the next Patriarch. And he would even have more authenticity than Callavan himself! You have a bad complexion. Oh, I couldnt sleep, so I was doing paperwork until morning. Im just a bit tired. To put it bluntly, Callavans face didnt look very good. Dark circles around the eyes almost reaching his chin, bloodshot eyes, flaky skin and even cracked lips. But we cant just stand still. If he really wants to kill Master Callavan Of course, I dont want to leave it alone. Thats why I stayed up all night. Then I decided to form a separate wing. Callius would be set up as the captain of a unit that moved independently of the main army. The Orcs cant stay forever encamped in front of Jevarsch. The most important problem would be food. Although they were procuring food by hunting and gathering in the nearby forest, there was a limit to it. Of course, the same went for the besieged inside Jevarsch, but the Orcs would need more food than humans. Theyd also need to feed the beasts that accompanied them. In any case, they had to procure supplies, so it would be of great help to the humans if a separate unit were to be set up to intercept or interfere with that. Of course C There was a limit to the number of soldiers that could be moved out of the castle right now, and the headcount had to be small enough to avoid the Orcs notice. The Knights of Callius were the perfect answer. Its a mishmash of people who dont even deserve to be called Knights, but being a general means you have to be able to use what you have. Its good if they are successful. Its better if they fail. You wouldnt have to see that thorn at your side ever again, and best of all, itd even be legally justified. Hes a pretty annoying obstacle on my road to revenge on Elburton. Annihilate the Orcs as soon as possible. Take the opportunity to kill Elburton whos already ill, and become the master of Jevarsch. This plan had been in the works for a long time. He couldnt let such great preparations be spoiled just because of one crazy idiot. Gather the Knights. The war had just begun. Behind the temporary barracks. Callius was spending time with Emily. Kaang! Chaeeng! Yeah, good job. Ignoring the summons, he had been training alone. Events flowed naturally towards having a match with Emily, whod appeared with Lucen in her hands. Like this? Right. Kaang! The sound of sparks erupted. Its been two weeks since I pierced her divine blood. For such a short duration, shed made quite good progress on the amount of divine power she could handle. Moreover, the technique of operation as well as her idea of ??condensing it were also going in a not bad direction. It was hard to believe that she was only a ten-years-old girl. Emily was indeed a genius of the sword. She was already at a level of skill that would not be easily defeated by any other Knights. As she accepted and internalized the practical experience and advice that Bernard and Callius imparted to her, one or two words at a time, she was already creating her own swordsmanship, with sharpness and softness coexisting. Of course, that swordsmanship still had to be polished further, but it was self-evident that she would become a great Knight in the near future. Haa, hoo, how is it? Useful. However, contrary to what she thought C Callius words were monotonous. Even just a single word of praise C Was difficult to get, for some reason. Wouldnt she get a big head if complimented too much? So Calius was being careful with his every word, because he had a lot of concerns about her getting hurt on the battlefield. Because of this, the words he uttered were short and concise, enough to colour the eyes that had twinkled in anticipation dim with disappointment. Thank you for your guidance. I dont need it. Still, I want to thank you. Callius nose twitched. The frigid atmosphere of a duel somehow warmed up in an instant. A cosiness that felt very awkward. Whats that hanging around your neck? This is made from the horn of the beast I caught last time. Isnt it cool? Ill blow it when the war starts. Its pretty loud and amazing. Want to hear it? I dont know what to say to Emilys face, whos proudly caressing her prize. I wonder why the traits of a maniac dont activate. In the end, Emily is also a Jervain. Still, maybe its because I dont want to show my daughter my foolish side. I really dont know That was then C Somebodys footsteps were caught in Callius ears. Whats going on, old man? It was Bernard. Why did you disobey the summons? I didnt want to go. Yeah, and thanks to that, you and your Knights are now ordered to move as a separate unit. Callius lips twisted as if hed known in advance. Thats what Id been hoping for. Crazy. Do you want to die? Dont you know that disobeying orders in wartime is a death sentence? I know. Then why did you do this despite knowing that? Because he wont be able to kill me anyway. Your heads messed up. Callavan couldnt do it. Even if he tried to enforce discipline like that, if Callius started making a riot, hed only lose more face for nothing. Anyway, Callavan couldnt do anything about Callius, who had a honoured bloodline. No matter how renowned a fool Callius might have been, he was still of Elburtons bloodline, and the Son of God who had returned from the Order. What do I have to do? Look for yourself. Whirlik. Tas. The gray eyes pored over the parchment quickly. Emily, curious as well, asked. The order that was written on the parchment. Hes asking me to take their supplies. Uh isnt that a good thing? Even if her talent for swords was excellent, she was still a child in this aspect. Its a good thing. Good enough to die for. What does siege warfare mean? It means being isolated. An Orc army is encamped in front of the castle gate, and you never know when the war might start. To get out of the castle, avoiding their eyes, and to destroy or grab their supplies? Its no different than telling you to just go out and die. Its good if you succeed, and its good if you fail. When the gates open for a moment and a surprise attack is launched from our side, the detached corps will draw their attention and advance north. It was an order to become a bait and to distract the enemy. It sounded like ordering him to die, but Callius didnt care. It was what he had hoped for in the first place. In Jevarsch, the characteristic of a maniac kept rising within him, making it difficult to control. It was more convenient to go out and act separately. If something goes wrong, itd be fine to die. After all, the war had begun. Because the time has come to finish the quest slowly. Callius crumpled up the parchment and grabbed the hilt around his waist. To raise the quest rewards to S rank, more special conditions were required. That Great Orc Warrior. His battle with Keltuk was not over yet. If they meet this time. Only then would the fight with him be put to an end. Are you going with? I cant. I have a separate mission. As expected. There was no way Callavan would leave a Paladin as powerful as Bernard alone. The showdown would be three days later. Callius was already waiting for that moment. Three days later. Callius spoke calmly to the Knights who looked at him. Those who want to live, stay. Those who want to die with me, follow. Thats all. Callius headed towards the closed gate. But his Knights followed behind, without hesitation. You are blessed. Isnt it? Thats right. As a maniac. Callavan strode to the side of Callius, who was at the forefront, and looked the Knights arrayed behind him. After these long and short skirmishes, the wandering aspirants of the White Forest had become full-fledged Knights. True Knights with boundless faith and loyalty, to Callius. Callavan looked at those knights with a smirk and twisted his lips. Yeah, theyre going to die anyway. Theres no need to think more. Open the gates. Open the gates! Opening! Chwaaaak! The soldiers turned the pulley, and the iron gate began to open with a trembling groan. In front of it was a green sea, waiting. Callius drew his sword without hesitation. The same went for Callavan. You said you were going to kill me, but youre going to die soon. Only time will tell. Are you forgetting your own situation? How can you be so calm despite knowing what kind of mission youve been given? Callavan bit his lips. Ppuuuuuu C! A horn made from a unicorn sang with a loud and magnificent clarion call. A trumpet announcing Callius departure. Thats a good sound. Is it? Its Emilys horn. Emily? He still looked bright, despite facing a battlefield where death awaited. A young girl caught Callavans eye, who had been wondering who Emily was. He saw her, holding a horn in her hands. Are you still alive? Hed thought her ripped apart on the Wheel by now. Look forward to it. Callavan. What do you mean? Callius, marching out of the gate, spat at him. The day I come back here again. That day C Will be the day your head falls off. Gulp. Unknowingly, Callavan swallowed with a parched throat. But then he smiled. You must fight fiercely. Youre still Jervains blood, so Id like to give you a sword funeral. I just dont know if your corpse will be intact. It was funny to hear him being sarcastic. Callius spoke, looking at him with an expressionless face. Survive to the end, Callavan. So I can chop your head off. Tas! Blood was pouring down in front of Callius as his red cloak fluttered in the wind. The colour of the blood was green. Fountains of blood splattering from the Orcs in his path. After a long time C In front of Callius, who had heavily diverted his way while being pursued by the Orcs C A giant Great Warrior stood, blocking his path. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 44 The prelude to the war, which began at dawn, started with trampling on the Orcs, heralded by the clarion call of a unicorn horn. Their green blood dripping from enemy blades soaked the earth in all directions, and axes flying blindly through the air rang out with the soldiers mortal dirge. Red blood and green blood blended together, covering the earth. Death, and slaughter. Only the twinkling stars in the pristine sky overhead, and the sun that was rising over the mountain ridges, told of times passing, while the war below continued as if timeless and eternal. Is this enough? Callius thought this was it. Callius and the Knights had made a major detour, deciding to gradually distance themselves from the battlefield. Their purpose was to cut off the food supply of the Orcs in front of them. Follow me! The Knights gathered around Callius, who shouted as he raised his sword high, and wielded it against his foes again and again. Unfortunately, there were also people among them who were hit with an axe and spewed out blood, but it couldnt be helped. We must go now!! Master Callius! Allen screamed at Callius, who had been waiting for the Knights to follow. Their group was becoming surrounded while waiting for the latecomers. Tch. Cant be helped C Lets go! Uooooooooo!! Cut a way open!! Half a day passed like that while they moved around like that, avoiding most of the dangers along the way with the help of [Tricolour Eye]. And by the time when the risen dawn was becoming twilight C The landscape surrounding Callius had changed. The frozen white plain, a symbol of the northern winter, had changed into a lush forest. Callius had moved north from Jevarsch and reached the nameless forest. Were those guys the last of our pursuers? It seems so, but we shouldnt relax our vigilance yet, Master Callius. It was Allen. He had become more cautious after losing an eye. The corpses of Orcs were piled up nearby Callius and the Knights. These were the ones who had obsessively pursued the Knights while they escaped from the battlefield. There were no casualties on the way, and they had settled the matter by repetitive hit-and-run tactics against the pursuers. Why say obvious things Master, wipe the blood off with this! Yeah. Feeling that his role was being usurped, Bruns tried to disparage Allen, while the rest of the Knights stood vigilant. Emily was taking care of the Knights and assigning them roles. Did you erase all the footprints on your way? Erase all traces as much as possible. Yes! Of course, Emily and the Knights had matured by going through several battles. Even if no one said anything, they would still find something to do on their own, so he could get some rest. Callius had been hoping to get some secret quests from the Carcasses of the moderately strong Orcs who had appeared so far. He checked to see if there were any. Theres nothing. To be fair, there actually were a few, but they were all quests to kill Knights of the North, so there was nothing that he could use. Since their corpses had already been turned into Carcass Swords, he tried to get some rewards by handing them out to other Knights and destroying the Carcasses later. But there were no rewards, because he hadnt used them as a sword. Looked like the soul guidance ceremony was only possible after using the Carcass as a sword personally. Callius von Jervain Occupation C Pilgrim Spirit C Level 3 Divine Power C 5302/6251 Talent C [Bards Blessing] Characteristics C [Verse of Grace] [Nobilitys Duty] [Scapegrace of the Count Family] [Death Verse Composition] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony] [Tricolour Eye] [Ability] Strength C 76 (30) Agility C 55 (30) Skill C 13 Health C 47 (30) Faith C 63 As his spirit strength rose to level 3, his overall physical abilities also soared. My strength has improved quite a bit. When he grabbed a nearby stone and put some pressure, it was crushed into powder in an instant. Perhaps now, Callius might even be able to compete with Zorniks supernal might, but that man had already turned into a dagger. Master Callius. Ive erased all the traces. It was time. Well go north. I know the location, so well move slowly, erasing our traces as we go. Yes! Itd been four days since they started moving like that, erasing the traces of their passing as they went. The Knights of Callius had finally identified one of the Orcs supply routes, and had been waiting two days in an ambush. They could see a procession of Orcs, laden with supplies. Are they holding hostages? At the tail end of the procession, figures with familiar faces tied to a rope were being dragged. Callius immediately ordered C Attack. It didnt matter whoever was caught. Anyway, the purpose was to steal the supplies. Or to destroy them. Kill them all. Yes! The Orc who shouted first in surprise got Zornic in the head for his trouble. The dagger flew out of Calliuss grip, fast as lightning, and pierced precisely in the middle of the Orcs forehead. Not bad. His throwing skill had improved considerably in accuracy. As if every throw was being corrected automatically. It wasnt a necessary talent for somebody with Callius state, but there was nothing bad about having it. Attack! Kill them all!! Damn Orcs! The Knights rushed forward like a flash of light and swung their swords. Allen, the blond-haired boy with a shortsword and a small shield in his hands. Aaron, wielding a greatsword that matched his size. Bruns, with flowing motions of his dagger. And finally, a beautiful longsword. Emily beheading the Orcs with Lucen as if she was flying through the air. And after her C Chwaaaak! Callius, cleanly slashing apart the rushing Orcs as he stepped through the battlefield with noble dignity. Oh, was it you lot? Seeing the faces of the hostages crouching down as the Orcs fell around them, Callius spoke to a woman in the middle. Her name was Orphin. A long time ago C She had been a Knight who had escorted Callius. ???? ??????! Walk faster! Pak! With a voice like metal being scratched, he kicked the womans waist as if telling her to walk quickly. She fell down helplessly. However, her hands and feet that had been tied to the cart kept dragging her across the ground. The sound of chuckling and laughter swept through the Orcs. The eyes of hostages like herself looked at her with pity. Reluctantly, she got up again and kept trailing after the procession. Her name was Orphin. Jervains Knight, who had been waiting in the forest as per Callavans orders. It was Orphin de Liofen. Orphin, are you alright? Fine. Accompanying her were the twin children of Callavan, who had been taken hostage along with her, as well as several Knights who were half-dead. Haa. Her sigh mixed with the chilly morning air and turned white. It was just bad luck. To have met a procession of Orcs carrying supplies by chance. To help the North somehow, they tried to slow their progress even the slightest bit, but they got caught in the end. The battle ensued quickly and ended quickly. A complete defeat. The reality was that they were being dragged around as hostages. Perhaps the reason they were being carried was to use them as playthings, or to provoke a response from the enemy on the battlefield. Either way, they wouldnt die an easy death. Even if I say that, Master Rivan and Mistress Rinney It was a mark of shame on her Knighthood. The guilt of not having been able to protect them weighed heavily on her shoulders. That was then C ???????? ???? ?!! Surprise attack!! The line of Orcs became jumbled. They pulled out their axes at once and started fighting. Several Knights arrived, cutting down the Orcs. They did not bear the mark of Jervain. However, the Knights dealt with the Orcs skilfully and defeated them one by one. Among them, a young girl with short black hair was weaving through the enemies and wielding her sword. And behind them, the elegant face of a man with a heavy and serious demeanour caught her eye. Jervains maniac, who was said to have the most handsome face among all the nobles of the Kingdom. Callius von Jervain. It was him. It was you, is it? Orphin. Ah Master Callius. Master Callius!! Orphin was weeping, Rinney welcomed Callius, but Rivan remained silent as if depressed. Chwaaak. After cutting off their handcuffs and shackles with a single stroke of his sword, Callius continued working with the Knights and annihilated the Orcs. Orphin continued to stare at his back with tears in her eyes. Previously, it was a back she had guarded, but now she was being guarded by that back in turn. She felt an indescribable emotion swirling within her. As a Knight C As a Knight serving Jervain, she felt shame and gratitude warring within her. You have changed remarkably. Now, he was no longer the idiot she had known his as. Rather, it was an appearance of a Knight he had once longed for. Orphin looked at Callius with longing eyes glistening with tears. Grab the sword. A sword was thrown at her, a Carcass made from an Orc nearby. Orphin was moved by the sight of Callius handing the sword to her. She bit her lower lips hard enough to bleed. Quietly, with both hands, she received the sword. It was definitely a poignant scene. The hesitations in her heart were gone. Orphin made up her mind. She licked her lips as if intending to say something, but it wasnt a good time for that. Kwaaaang! Kkkahak! A sound that resembled an explosion resounded among the mass of Knight at one side. Immediately, a tingling sensation ran all over her body. Thump, thump. Only the sound of heavy footsteps could be heard, stepping on the Orc corpses, in the ensuing relative silence. Ca-, Master Callius!! The one who finally showed up was none other than a being with green skin and red hair. A Warrior with high honour among the Orcs. A Warrior among Warriors. It was a being the Orcs called a Great Warrior. Great Warrior An Orc Warrior who already emitted an aura causing the skin to tingle. He had a more ferocious atmosphere than those they had seen before. Ah. Its a Great Warrior! Orphin, who had just been thinking they had managed to survive, fell again into the abyss of despair. Hes different, isnt he? Yes! Hes different from the one we saw last time! Hes smaller and thinner! It was Rinney who interrupted Callius, whod been talking to himself. You saw him? I saw you from a distance last time! I have pretty good eyes! Rinney pointed to her own eyes and grinned. Callius glared at Rinney with expressionless eyes and muttered to himself. Its the grace brought forth by Gods blessing. Yes! Thats right! A blessing from the God Valtherus, which was said to be given only to the nobles and royal families who had been present during the founding myth of the Kingdom. This seemed to be a blessing like that. Through the generations, Gods grace manifests itself intermittently in the bloodline. The Jervain have their eyes. God-given gray eyes. Of course, Callius did not possess such a grace. Its a pity that its not Keltuk, but theres no better opponent here for a swordfight. Callius! Hes probably pretty confident in his speed! Ignoring Rinneys cry, Callius walked forward and drew the Predator Sword. The Axe God of Orcs, Kun-Ta. He performed a miracle different from the other Gods on his chosen Warriors. Most of the axes they carried were weapons belonging to a system of strengthening. The moment you hold it, your body is strengthened supernally in some manner. Maybe in the shoulders or maybe in the legs, but most of the Orcs miracles were generally like that. So maybe this guy C The unique ability must be related to agility. In contrast, Keltuk had been about pure force. The difference in body size and trained muscles seemed to have been noticed by Rinney, who was blessed with Gods grace. This battle was going to be pretty different. But Callius more than welcomed it. Since then, he had gone through a series of breath-taking battles, but no new opponent had appeared who could make his heart race so much. Callius lips twitched. Come. Kung. The sound of hitting the ground rang clearly. However, the Great Warrior who invaded his surroundings was fast as a thunderbolt. Kaaaaaang!! The axe and the Predator Sword C Loas collided so fast they were invisible to the naked eye. The sparks that spread were so bright that they lit up the darkened twilight sky. Kwaaang! Kaang! Kigigigik! The air itself trembled intensely in the aftershock. At that thunderous roar, Rivan and Rinny covered their ears with both hands. But the childrens gray eyes did not blink for a moment. Because it seemed that if they blinked even for just a single moment, they would lose sight of the Great Warrior and Callius, locked in battle, forever. Rivan. Look carefully. If that man hadnt used a fork against your sword, you wouldnt be here now. Suddenly Emily, who was perched behind Rivan and ahead of Rinney C She looked proudly at Callius, fighting fiercely, and spoke. One day, youll be proud of it. That youd ever faced him with a sword. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 45 Fast. Much too fast. By the time I recognized the speed of his attack, it was already nearing my eyes. It was a type of strength different from that of Keltuk. But it wasnt as hopeless as last time. I still had room to act. The danger continued unabated from moment to moment, but as our dance continued, there was only one thought in my mind. This is worth it. I was slowly getting used to it. I was beginning to adapt to his speed. Kaaang!! I blocked an axe that swooped down from an oblique angle. And while blocking, kikikig! The pommel of the sword struck up at the bastards chin. Puk! His head jerked up at the blow. At that moment, Callius sharply pivoted. His sword passed through the magnificently fluttering crimson cloak as it swung. Chwaaaak! Huung! Kuung! The giant Great Warrior flew through the air and struck the ground. ??, ??? ????? ??????? ????: The one he spoke about C The Great Warrior muttered as he licked the wound on his left cheek with his tongue. You were the one hed been talking about. Interpreting the intonations via his trait, Callius twisted his lips. You seem to be acquainted with Keltuk. Thats pretty good. Callius sword bloomed with the energy of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art. Petals nestling close to each other. The mythic Silver Flower Wave Sword began to manifest on his blade. If youre his comrade, lets stop these trivial probes. The Great Warrior also seemed to have understood. His momentum surged even higher. Soon, a new dance that was incomparably faster and sharper than before began. Callius circulated all his spirit power throughout his entire body, and even made the second bud of the Six Peak Flowers technique bloom, raising his physical abilities to the limit. A Great Orc Warrior. An opponent worthy of him pouring out everything he had. Kaang! Chwaaaak! The Great Warrior blocked or swiftly avoided Callius attacks that scoured at him like a storm. But he couldnt weather them all. Silver petals streaming down like waves fluttered everywhere. And like an angry bull, they rushed towards the Great Warrior from all directions. Even then, the Great Warrior was not anxious. But he hadnt realized that the number of petals was gradually increasing. With a silent murmur from Callius, the eyes of the Great Warrior reflected a sea of silver petals illuminating the night sky. Raging Flower Wave. Silver Flower Wave Sword C Raging Flower Wave. At that moment C The mass of the silver petals swelled like a surging tide and struck. The petals spread out and made a path for Callius.[1] Silver Flower Wave Sword: First Martial Skill C Raging Flower Wave. Its true form was an extremely fast quick sword.[2] The essence of the quick sword style lied in raising the swiftness of the blade to the extreme. The skill required sophisticated spiritual manipulation. Scrape against the opponents sword, add its strength to your own, and cover it like a wave C that was the quick sword. From there, it would spread like flowing water. Silver Flower Wave Sword C White Haze. Chwajajajajajajak! A pure white haze, like a mass of snow, would envelop the whole area as if it had been frozen in ice. Under its cover, the sword would fly from its hiding spot beneath the enemys feet and cause fatal wounds. The natural connection between Raging Flower Wave and White Haze pushed the Great Warrior into a crisis of life and death. In an instant, his body became drenched in his lifeblood, and green Orcish blood spurted through the air. Crack! However, he was still a Great Warrior. Not just some simple Orc with more agility than most. ?? ?? ?????? ???? ???? ????????!!Come take my life, gray warrior!! Aaaaaaaaah!! The sword scattered into fluttering petals. Avoiding them all, he even deflected the raging stormy waves of Callius attack. His speed accelerated. He had always been fast, but as he got more and more hurt, he got swifter and swifter. His abnormally long arms that bent bizarrely, coupled with his hard bones and strong muscles, allowed him to pursue strange forms of attack that were beyond human limits. Crazy. His axe whirled in bizarre trajectories that could only be described in such words. And the speed that underpinned it all. Faster than even the blink of an eye, the edge of the axe cut through the tips of Callius hair. Yeah, thats how you should be! However, alongside the change in his opponent, Callius sword also became faster. Quickly. Quickly! Faster! Without even the leisure of a single breath, he only struck and struck again with his swift sword. So what if the opponent accelerated? Rather, this was the battle he had desired. Raging Flower Wave disturbed the opponents swordsmanship, scattering it in the air and assimilating it before countering. The more you block your enemys attacks, the better. Raging Flower Wave would only get larger and stronger. More. A little more! The handful of remaining divine power, all that remained in his body, was injected into the sword. A sword art that scattered in the air, squeezing the swordsmans concentration to the limit. Furious waves that formed a path C called Raging Flower Wave. Kaang C! The hand that held Loas was already numb. A tingling pain crawled through his blood-stained arms, and all the creaking bones in his body screamed in weakness. Nevertheless C Callius merely clenched his teeth and swung his sword faster. What is this Hey, can you still see him? Shut up. Because I dont know if Ill ever see something like this again. The contest between the two combatants, too fast to be followed by the naked eye, heated up the surrounding Knights who were watching. Every dizzying moment in the battle made their palms sweat. There had been hundreds of times in this contest, when a strike would have caused a fatal wound had it been deeper by just a fingers span. In the end, one won. Seok. The wind blew between them. Dusty sand scattered in the wind, and falling drops of blood and sweat wet the earth. And soon C Tuk. The Great Warriors neck fell, covered with silver petals; the twinkling stars embroidered in the night sky the last image reflected in his eyes. The face of the Orc, who had never once screamed or begged, was the face of a warrior. Oooooaaaaaaahh!! Master Callius has defeated the Great Warrior! Its our victory! Long live Master Callius!! Hurray!! As soon as the head of the Great Warrior fell, the shouts of the Knights who had been so long holding their breath resounded through the forest. Haa. Callius, who was finally relieved of tension, exhaled harshly with a small sigh. The gushed breath steamed hot and white in the air before dissipating. Just like how the life of the Great Warrior had now faded away. I did what I had to. He couldnt afford to lower his guard for a moment. Every instant had been filled with threat, and hed crossed the line between life and death by the span of a finger. This Great Warrior had been strong in different aspects compared to Keltuk. However, by measure of strength, he had been similar. If it had been before, Callius would not have been an opponent of this Great Warrior whom he met today, whose name he did not know. The strongest among the strong enemies, whom he would have preferred to run away from rather than confront head-on. But. Its different now. No longer. Six Peak Flowers technique had risen to the second star, and although he was not wholly satisfied with it, his sword had also risen to the level of a Spirit Sword. Now that he had Spirit Sword C Loas in his hands C For Callius, Great Warriors were no longer overwhelmingly strong enemies to run away from. Now they were worthy opponents. Yes, enemies he could fight on even ground. Thats how strong Callius had become. Correcting the sword with the help of the Tricolour Eye, destroying or avoiding the enemys attacks, and using all the diverse abilities he possessed to unleash an ultimate sword skill. All this was possible because how his purer divine power had raised the level of all his physical abilities. I can still become stronger. Here was not the end. He could become even stronger. He couldnt be satisfied with just this. Even more so because it was here, he had to become stronger. Hed felt the possibility. Hed felt it in the battle he just had. Hed felt it on his skin. He would become stronger in the future. That was it. [Fatalites Wheel] S- Ah. The reward for the Wheel had also arrived at S-. The barrier was broken by killing the Great Warrior just now. It might not be possible to reach a full S before this quest was over, but it was already a satisfactory result. Its not good to be corroded by Callius personality Still, the choice to come to the North was not wrong. If he had never come to the North, he wouldnt have achieved such growth in such a short period of time. After organizing his thoughts, Callius reached out to the Great Warriors corpse. Although not as good as the Great Warrior hed met before, Keltuk, this one had still been a Great Warrior. Wasnt this a cadaver that could become a Spirit Sword if made into a Carcass? Since it wasnt formally prepared, the quality might not be high, but it was still the remains of a Great Warrior. Since Callius had been the one to directly face his skills in combat, he was confident in creating a Spirit Sword. Even Spirit Swords were divided into classes, so he couldnt expect the highest quality, but his expectations were high nonetheless. Huuuung C His hands sparkled silver. Resplendent divine power enveloped the cooling corpse, calling upon a divine miracle that would change its form soon after. The majestic body and noble soul forged in the fires of life, would coalesce into a single sword. The only sword of its kind in the world Saruruk. Ugh! The Great Warriors corpse However, a scene was now unfolding that shattered Callius expectations. The Great Warriors body had begun to wither like a mummy. Psssk! It quickly turned into dust with a popping sound. Callius looked nervously at the Predator Sword C Loas in his hands. This bastard The blood-stained blade of the Predator Sword gleamed sharply as if satisfied. [Predator Sword C Loas] Grade C Spirit Sword. Inhabited Soul C A mixed soul. Unique Ability C Predation. Noble Predation C 1. Noble Predation had been added under unique ability. Did that mean normal demons or humans no longer sated its hunger after it evolved into a Spirit Sword? There had been no response with the other Orcs until now, but when it took the Great Warriors head, this change appeared. If this continued, the Predator Sword might transcend Spirit rank, and rise to the rank of Vision. But how long would that take? When it ate a hundred? A thousand? Or perhaps only when it achieved ten thousand noble predations? He couldnt know. Rather than some strange anticipation, Callius was filled with deep annoyance. Ttt. Damn it. Clicking his tongue, Callius immediately pushed the Predator Sword back into its sheath, as if he didnt want to even see it. He shouted for Bruns with a sharp tone. Bruns. Clean this up. Alright! After examining the situation for a moment, Emily came over and asked. Are you going back now? The original purpose had been to steal supplies. Alone and isolated from allies. Really, it was an absurd order. If it failed, they would die as they were, and even if it succeeded, it would be quite difficult to move the supplies back to the fortress. A detachment of a besieged army jumped out, trying to steal the opponents supplies and hoping to profit. Truly absurd. No, Im not going back. Why? There is no way to break through the Orc army and return to the fortress with these supplies. Even if it were possible, it would do more harm than good. A lot of blood would need to flow. The Orc army was investing the citadel from the front, how were they going to move the munitions? It was impossible. Then what are you going to do? As it stands, we have no choice but to gnaw away at their numbers and supplies from the fringes. Slowly, patiently. The goal was to isolate them little by little. A contest of who withered first. That was their chance to win. In the North, bad weather is common. Besides C Theres a way to carry these things with us, too, as long as its not too much, so itd be fine. The hidden roads of the North filled Callius mind. Not all the roads are on flat ground. Callius looked down at the ground with calm eyes, then turned his back. Editors Notes: [1] ??? (pah-wa-lo) = Raging Flower Wave, but theres one problem. ? = wave, ? = rage/flower/disaster. ? = way/direction/road, which we skipped because we wanted a short three-word term, and opted to keep both rage and flower. Were mostly resigned to this translation. If you have a suggestion, feel free to comment. [2] Quick sword, heavy sword, phantom/illusion sword are the three foundational sword styles, as have been mentioned before. Chapter 46 A gust of wind blew over the pure white snowfield, forming vortices. A colony of Orcs had died it green. Their commander, his face heavy, shouted from his shack made of animal leather and bones. ????? ?????! The foods run out! The man, his blonde hair tied in a braid that fluttered in the wind, scrunched his forehead at the sound. What are these guys talking about now? Theyve run out of food. All that food? The man whod taken off his hood, his golden hair fluttering C Lutheon, frowned. Obviously, the army had brought several carts of munitions on the backs of the giant beasts when theyd arrived. Most of those bales must have had been occupied by food, so how come it was already used up? Ramatu, holding his staff, conversed with the Orcs again. Seems that the troops transporting the rations have lost contact. Lost contact? At Lutheons puzzled expression, Ramatu stroked his beard as if he knew something. That Callius whereabouts have been unknown since a while ago Looks like he came out to steal the food. Failure to do so would only result in a dogs death. However, if you succeed, its definitely a great help for the defenders. His actions forced the Orc army to start worrying about food shortages. Callius Orcs dont eat humans, after all. And food is important to keep up with their strong body and stamina. Be it beasts or humans, its difficult to fight while starving. All living things die if they lack food. Be it a beast or a human. But such an important resource has now been cut off. We cant wait for the next supply There was no time. The hungry army had eaten up all the beasts in the forest near Jevarsch, and they also had their own mounts to think of. Since they had to deal with the food supply of the tamed beasts, all the rations theyd brought with them in the past had already been exhausted. It was enough to give rise to dissent in the ranks. Who knows if the next supply convoy would be cut off, either. No way. Please dont say that. Do you really think so? Those were meaningful words. Even knowing what they meant, Lutheon decided to confirm again. Because the other party was Ramatu of Krasion. The most ancient, long-lived member of Krasion. What do you mean? The Orcs escorting this supply convoy even included a Great Warrior. You know what it means to have them stolen. The death of a Great Warrior. The munitions being robbed. Both pointed to a single fact. Youre saying that Callius killed the Great Warrior and stole the munitions. Right. However, it was difficult to understand. Still, hes a guy who almost died by the hands of a Great Warrior just a short while ago. Even if he survived it was because that Paladin wielding lightning was with him. With that rare elemental Spirit Sword. If there was a strong Paladin by his side, a talented warrior with a rare Spirit Sword C Only then would the death of a Great Warrior make sense. It was clear at a glance how powerful the elemental series was. So it was not an impossible feat for a Paladin with a sword imbued with lightning. Thats another thing you dont know. Originally, what I fear the most is the growth of a child. Hes not a child. To me, hes like a child still blooming. Anyway, lets stop this discussion. Im still curious about how Callius is still alive. Besides, Im not sure of his level of skill, but its ridiculous to say that hes on par with a Great Warrior. I was talking about possibilities. Lutheon thought that it was an absurd leap. Maybe it was because the other party didnt know Callius like he did. They had been monks in the Church together. No matter how good his swordsmanship looked from the outside, Callius was cack-handed. He had no talent for the sword. It wouldnt have been easy for a guy like him to go on a pilgrimage and still be alive A Great Warrior. Ridiculous. Of course, the Silver Flower Wave Sword dance he displayed had definitely been outstanding. So there must have been some kind of trick, for him to have that level of skill. However C A fool is forever a fool. No matter how much people change C Their essences do not change easily. Even if he was taught such excellent swordsmanship, how far could he go with such mediocre talent? It was absurd. Lutheon finished his thought. Anyway, this is bothering me. The rations are of course important, but losing the rest of the supplies is also a blow. Including the necessary supplies to tame the beasts. They were being quiet for now, but once the medicinal effects subsided, the beasts would wake up to their instincts. And then there would be a riot. What should we do? Master Ramatu. Unless hes an idiot, he wouldnt go back to the castle with the supplies he stole. Then It would be nearly impossible to enter the fortress through the army of so many Orcs. And if you are laden with loot on top of that, the probability of success nears zero. Then there was one thing he could do from outside the castle. Hell try to steal all the supplies that follow. Thats true. It was a natural conclusion. Basically, the supplies were not moved all at once. They were to be transported in order C first, second and third. The first convoy had been lost this time. So we have the second and third convoys left. If you dont move this time, all of them will be robbed. If so, there would be only one possible ending. The Orc army will be annihilated, and your mission will also fail. Mission failure. Lutheons shoulders became heavy. I cant fail. I must succeed. For the lady[1], I must!! Ramatu clicked his tongue seeing the devotion burning in his eyes. He didnt know if it was simple loyalty or the madness that springs from being in love, but if left as it was, the mission would really be a failure. Since hed come here representing Krasion, Ramatu also had his own pride to think of. It was a sad thing, but this couldnt be left unattended. That was then C ??????! Hurry! An Orc rushed in, shouting. He seemed to have come to inform them of an emergency. What is he saying? Hearing the Orcs story, Ramatus lips thinned. The secondary munitions have been stolen. Who is doing this? A Knight with black hair and gray eyes, wearing a red cloak. There were not many Knights in the North with such an impression. Callius It was that bastard. Sir Lutheon. You must stop that bastard first. A blaze, once it starts burning, is hard to stop. Sir Lutheon. A hungry Orc is even more useless than a beast. Ramatu shook his head, looking at the weakened Orcs. The secondary munitions have also been stolen, so we must meet the next wave in advance. Which route is it coming from? That The Sinking Forest? Yeah. Thats probably the place. I see. If its the Sinking Forest Sinking Forest. The second largest of the three famous forests in the North. Id know of it if anybody does. I gave the settings for this place. As the name suggested, it was a forest that was gradually sinking due to the weak ground. Originally, in ancient times, it had been a place with steep cliffs and rock formations, but they had been abraded over a long period of time, and on top of them had risen a forest with its roots firmly entangled to form the ground. Therefore, the earth in this place was made up of accumulated sediment and soft roots, and if you stepped on it, your body would gradually sink. Hence the name. A forest that was difficult to enter, except for hunters and guides. It was a dangerous place where you dont know when or where the earth would give way, so relaxing you guard might lose you your life. Even if you got lucky and survived the fall, there was no way to climb back up, so once you fell, it was over. A dangerous jungle where death hounded your every step C that was the Sinking Forest. Orphin. Are you sure? It doesnt make sense to cross that forest with munitions. It was such a dangerous place. The weak ground meant it was difficult to carry heavy loads. No matter how savage the Orcs might have been, they werent that sort of idiots. It didnt make sense. Certainly. Lady Rinney said that she saw them head towards there with her own eyes. Thats right! I saw it. Master Callius. Eyes blessed by Valtherus. Rinneys eyes, which were no different from true clairvoyants, were certainly dependable. But Callius couldnt be sure. It was the same when we robbed the first wave of munitions, but the second time was not easy at all. Although there was no Great Warrior with them, there were a large number of Orcs with high combat ability on average, so the battle had been quite fierce despite the advantage of surprise. A lot of blood had to be shed for the victory. Compared to them, the power I have now is weak. No matter how powerful he might be, even comparable to a Great Warrior, he only had a single body. Except for Callius, the average combat power of the rest of the Knights could not be considered high. He had been fortunate enough to acquire a dramatic rise in his skills due to some tricks and coincidences, but they were not. They were getting used to the battlefield and their skills were increasing day by day, but in reality they were far too lacking to be compared to the true Knights of Jervain. Theyve grown a lot compared to the past, but its not enough yet. The ones escorting the munitions were usually elites among the Orc Warriors. If they simply clashed head-on, losing the Knights would be inevitable. At this time, when nobody knew how the situation might change next, each death was a painful loss and directly led to a decrease in overall power, so they had to be careful. Besides, they were Knights who had believed in him, followed him. He didnt want to lose those who claimed to be the Knights of Callius. How was their procession? There was nothing unusual about it. The beasts were dragging large carts that looked like munitions. There was nothing special about it. So it was even more suspicious. You couldnt go through the Sinking Forest by pulling munitions with a cart. But they went that way nonetheless. Suspicious. An award-winning performance. Theyre just Orcs, so they might not know about the Sinking Forest. It was Aaron, one of the Knights. What he was conveying in such kind words C That Orcs were ignorant brutes. To some extent, that was correct. Because they were barbarians, who followed a tribal culture. Aaron, although they lack knowledge, they are not without wisdom. They were indeed driven out of the North, but that doesnt make them fools. Uh, hmm As Aaron let out a sigh, Allen who was next to him spoke as if he had been waiting. Its the Sinking Forest. one of the three major forests in the North. Its even the second most famous forest after the White Forest, so theres no way they dont know about it. Im kind of suspicious. Allen, whose youthful face had become a little sharper and more mature after losing an eye, wondered aloud if the Orcs had dug a trap. Maybe, as Sir Allen puts it. Maybe its different than what we think, the Orcs may go through the Sinking Forest via some special route. How about arranging an ambush, any specific locations? There was no need to go into the dangerous forest, but they could estimate where the Orcs might exit and spring an ambush. It was a regular Knight who had been previously under Zornik who suggested it, a stable operation that could minimize damage. Orphin, what do you think? Callius, whod been quietly pondering, looked at Orphin and asked. Shed been a Knight of the North for so long that it was difficult to compare with anyone else present. Although unexpectedly captured by the Orcs, she was still a person with both the dignity and the intelligence befitting a Knight. I dont think we have time. Time? Yeah. Twice now, weve cut off the supplies of the Orc army. So theyre going to be anxious too. Thats not wrong. The most important thing in war is munitions. More specifically, rations. Winter in the North is very cold, and food is infinitely scarce. For the Orcs, who are bringing with them so many beasts that their army looks like the waves of a green sea, food must be as important as their honour as Warriors. They, too, will risk life and death for this supply convoy, so I think we need to take the munitions and run away as soon as possible. Right. Thats right. As desperate as we are, so are our opponents. So we dont have much time left. We must decide soon. Decide, and implement. Then how about this? What is it, Bruns? Now, what worries master is that those guys who entered the forest have set a trap, right? Yes. Even if we go into the forest and seize the supplies, we wont make it out of there if reinforcements arrive and surround us. Because they will be desperate too. If the supply is cut off this time, it will be their turn to wither and die. News of what happened to the rest of the supplies must have come in by now. So they would have sent reinforcements towards the last remaining supply convoy. Master, our purpose is simply to cut off the supplies, isnt it? If that was so simple, why bother Just when I was about to say something C Bruns blunt words hit me like an avalanche. Then we can just let them sink alive with their supplies, right? They entered the Sinking Forest. It seemed that my past two successes had made me focus only on stealing the supplies. Let them all sink. Bruns words cleared my mind. The Sinking Forest. Let them sink and perish there, as befit the name of the place. If it were that simple, we wouldnt be suffering like this Use your head a bit more. Aaron stabbed from the side, but I raised my hand to focus everybodys attention. No. No I didnt know if it was different for others. But for me, it was very simple. Because C Because I, had made the Sinking Forest. Editors Notes: [1] Korean has problems with gendered pronouns, so you arent supposed to know at this point whether its a male or a female being spoken of. Spoiler? Not really. Who exactly it is, though is one. Chapter 47 The Sinking Forest. Even amidst the freezing winter of the North, its interior was stained with green. Because the trees were covered layer by layer with leaves resembling pine needles that wouldnt fall even in winter. As a result, snow did not pile up inside the Sinking Forest, and blotches of green hung mysteriously in the air. So this is the Sinking Forest. Its the first time Im seeing it with my own eyes. Its hard to believe that this place used to be a cliff in the ancient times Allen looked around with his remaining eye, his blonde hair fluttering in the sunlight every time he shook his head. Hey, Allen. We havent come here to sightsee, so take a proper look around If you fall into a pit, itd be too small for me to try save you. I dont even want you to. Ill take care of myself, so you just worry about yourself, Aaron. Arent you in more danger than me with that heavy body of yours? While Aaron was about to fire a rejoinder C Be quiet. Were not here to play around. Callius ended the fight. Master Callius. Over there At that moment, Rinney, who had climbed up on a tree, called out to Callius. There. Orcs over there. I see. However, Callius looked at Emily who was also near Rinney. At those eyes demanding confirmation, Emily glanced at Rinney once and answered. Its blurry, but I can see something moving. Rinney might be right. Callius nodded at that. Rinneys eyes fell on Emily. The strange bond between the two made Rinneys brows furrow. Location? Northeast. Not bad. Callius looked at Bruns, who took something out of his cloth bag as if hed been waiting. It was a telescope. Callius form disappeared in an instant and appeared at the top of the tree. Climbing even higher than Rinney, he observed the Orcs through the telescope. So thats it. The Orcs werent stupid. They hadnt brought the giant beasts whod tried to brutishly destroy the fortress walls into the Sinking Forest, knowing what a bad idea that would be. It was convenient to use the giant beasts for moving supplies, but it was inevitable for them to stand out. Those are earth dragons. They chose earth dragons to move through the Sinking Forest. Earth dragons were bipedal reptilian beasts, with strong leg muscles that allowed them to move with quickness and agility. On their backs they hauled large loads of luggage, presumably the supplies. So theyre thinking of passing through the Sinking Forest using the earth dragons. It was a novel way. Because they have a great sense of balance and can jump around well, they are not affected by the singularity of the Sinking Forest. It was necessary to use quite a number of earth dragons, but it was a safe and sure way to pass through the forest. This was a method that suited the Orcs, who were masters of the demonic beasts. If they are using the earth dragons to move, its unlikely that enemies are waiting here in ambush. For a moment, the taste of the grilled earth dragon that hed eaten at an inn came to mind. Dismissing those thoughts, Callius came down from the tree and gave orders. Get ready. The Knights, as if theyd been waiting for his order, took something out of their own bags and started to sprinkle it all around. It was some kind of a golden powdery substance, but the Knights sprinkled it as carefully as if it were actual gold. What the hell is this Orphin, along with the rest of the Knights, sprinkled the powder according to plan, but could not help but be curious. Because this powder had been made by grinding a common plant. Moringa[1], also called drumstick tree, grew everywhere even in the barren northern lands, and was treated as a weed. Callius had ordered this a few days ago. Meeting with the Knights, he ordered them to pluck out moringa leaves wherever they saw some, and to make it into powder. The Knights had naturally been curious at the command, but they did not ask questions. Their faith in Callius had been thoroughly strengthened throughout this war in the North. Master, were done. Good work. As he reconfirmed the locations where the powder had been sprinkled, Callius nodded his head. This should be enough. Within the Sinking Forest, the ground was made up of sediments accumulated on top of the tangle of tree roots over a long period of time. And most of the trees in the forest had some peculiar properties, which could not be explained logically, including one specific peculiarity. Most people wouldnt know For some reason, if you sprinkle moringa powder on the trees in the Sinking Forest, they start to corrode within five minutes, and the fibres gradually decompose and break down after ten minutes. While the weed was not at all harmful to humans, to the trees of this forest, it was an absolute poison. What would happen if you sprinkled moringa powder on the roots of the Sinking Forest, where the ground was already weak? Itll collapse at the slightest impact. This setting would be used as a stepping stone to turn the war around when the North begins to crumble, when a middle-class Named finds this out I cant help it. Since its a simpler way to starve out the Orcs, theres nothing wrong with using it now. After all, I wont just stand and watch in the war that will be fought in the future. Now its just a matter of waiting. If you just wait, no matter how many earth dragons the enemy uses, theyre bound to collapse with a slight shock. Callius smiled at the trap that reminded him of a sinkhole. But master, will it really go to plan? Damn it Bruns, dont jinx it. My plan is perfect. If they deviate from the expected path, well just show ourselves and drive the Orcs back in. The Knights had been divided into two groups and were waiting on both sides in ambush for that purpose. There were no gaps. Come. That was then C Tap, tap. The footsteps of the earth dragons could be heard. They were also sensitive to smells, so the Knights had even applied strong-scented herbs on their armour and clothes. An Orc could be seen at their forefront. Looking around, he signalled the rest that it was okay to come closer. Behind the Orcs were numerous earth dragons carrying their burdens. Yeah, come a little bit more. Just a little bit more. Come a little closer. A little, a little more. Just when they were about to reach where the trap had been laid C Tas. Somebody else also arrived. That guy. A man wearing a hood came up to the earth dragons and blocked them. No way Callius eyes narrowed. Although the man wore a hood, a splendid blonde mane could be seen beneath it. And he was holding a spear in his hands. Come and meet me. Just because youre hiding doesnt mean I dont know where you are, you know? The voice of the hooded man was quite young. It was a voice that showed considerable spirit, and was full of confidence. And it was a voice very familiar to Callius. Bards Blessing rekindled his memories as the voice reached him. When hed been a monk in the Church. A friend whod been close to him, and a companion in his trash behaviour. Unlike other monks, he was the son of a noble family of the same grade as himself, but he was treated differently because of his extraordinary talent. At that moment, a gust of wind through the forest took off the mans hood and swayed his brilliant blonde hair. Lutheon Callius, who had been hiding in the grass, slowly got up. Slowly, he pulled out the Predator Sword hanging from his waist. Callius. Long time no see. Lutheon raised his spear, his face an interplay of joy and hatred. Seeing that spear, Callius gripped the Predator Sword even tighter. Lutheon, the renegade. The renegade, Lutheon. Hearing that appellation, Lutheons smile twisted even further. For some reason, I have to destroy the North. So Ill ask you a favour. Lutheon spoke as if he was talking to an old friend. Please die. And immediately, his form disappeared. Callius was momentarily taken aback, but he had no choice but to grit his teeth. Kaang!! Because Lutheon, who suddenly appeared in front of him, had stabbed that spear with a dark red blade at him with explosive speed. He managed to block it, but he couldnt help but be pushed back. However, there was no room to fix his posture. Because Lutheon stabbed once more, aimed at Callius chest. Ttt. The moment he tried to block the attack with his sword, a pungent smell alerted him, forcing him to pivot away. And right at that moment C Kwaaang!! An explosion, like a bomb detonating, shook the entire forest. Boom! Boom! Thud!! Callius, who escaped the explosion, slid across the ground and broke through a few trees before coming to a halt. His whole body was trembling at the shock hed received. Shit, damn it. Spitting out bloody saliva, Callius stood back up. Thankfully he didnt block this time and escaped right away. Trying to block that spear again wouldve left him seriously injured. Its the cloak. Originally, it would have been no surprise if even his entire back got charred by that explosion, but the Cloak of Twilight had blocked the heat a little. If he hadnt smelled that pungent smell similar to gunpowder, he wouldnt have thought of it. The Exploding Spear, Ames. A spear that was considered to have the strongest power even among the highest-grade spears. Ames. The owner of the Exploding Spear, Ames C Was Lutheon von Ruydren. Aka Lutheon the renegade. I didnt know you would show up. I knew that Krasion was connected to the Empire, but I never expected Lutheon to come out. Its because he originally appeared long after the main quest started. Is this also my influence? But now was not the time to think about that. Right now. What are you thinking of, idiot Jervain! Kwaang!! He had to block Lutheons spear again. Master Callius!! Ududuk! Once again, avoiding Lutheons spear, Callius rolled on the ground. Dont interfere! You guys deal with the Orcs! Take the supplies! Do you think Ill let you do that?! A spear that could be said to be among the top three in power. On top of that, Lutheons own ability couldnt be underestimated either. A genius with a natural ability in swordsmanship since his days as a monk, he turned to the Empire and acquired a powerful spear and excellent spearmanship. Lutheon of today was a heavy opponent. A large part of that was the Exploding Spear, Ames. Ames, which possessed an incredible unique ability, able to finish off an opponent with just one strike of its blade. Explosion. How do you deal with the spear capable of that? Its no different than fighting a bomb full of gunpowder! Callius rolled over the floor once more to avoid the next explosion coming from that spear. Kwaaang! Callius. You, a noble among nobles, are rolling on the ground. Have things changed so much? Shut up, Lutheon. You, who betrayed Carpe and the Order to get that spear, are even worse. Things are not going well. There are too many variables. Lutheon suddenly appeared. And with his appearance, Callius body has started remembering memories that are not mine. Memories of bygone days keep making my head throb. Callius. I envy you. Lutheon in my memory. The image overlaps with him now running fiercely towards me. You just do what you want. Those sad eyes under the moonlight. His eyes today look like those of a completely different person. Callius!! The red blade of Ames, the Exploding Spear, swept in like crazy, again aiming at Callius neck. Dangerous. Right now, Callius had no way to deal with Lutheon. Although their weapons had the same rank in name, one was a half-finished sword and the other was a top-notch spear. The two weapons were not in the same league. The Predator Sword C Loas was a long way off from even matching Bernards Thunderbolt Sword. One way, yes. It was true that the two of them werent evenly matched right now. However, Callius had created a variable that his enemy didnt know of yet. That was then C Where are you looking, Callius! Soon the red light flashed and the explosion was imminent again. Callius avoided the tip by the span of a finger and caught the haft tightly with his hand, pulling the spear toward him. You idiot! However, Lutheons spear was about to explode again. At this rate, Callius hand would get caught in the explosion and be destroyed. Did you think I wouldnt be able to explode if I got too close? Lutheons lips twisted, and the Exploding Spear again flashed red. The moment when another explosion was about to occur C Kugung! A huge vibration made Lutheons eyes widen. What! The ground on which he was standing began to crumble. Lutheon was startled, and Callius lips curved in dark satisfaction. Callius, you!! The ground collapsed, and the earth dragons as well as the Orcs were caught up in it. Lutheon tried to escape, but Callius, whod been bleeding yet held the spear tightly in his grasp, would never allow it. Do you want to die together?! Callius answered Lutheons cry with bloodstained lips. This is my victory, Lutheon. Soon, both Callius and Lutheon disappeared into the abyssal depths. Editors Notes: [1] ??? (Moringa), called drumstick tree or horseradish tree, common in the Indian subcontinent. See Wikipedia. 100th post on the site. We have come far (Civ6 noises) Chapter 48 Callius! Do you want us to die together! You idiot! Thats not bad either. Me and my Knights have no way to deal with that Ames of yours. The current Callius had no way to resist the Exploding Spear and its cheatlike ability. Of course, that meant that there was no way for any of the Knights there to face Lutheon. So Callius chose to fall together with him. The number of the Orcs and the earth dragons has also been reduced by about half. Since they lost so much of the supplies, the blow the Orc army has suffered this time isnt small. It was their victory. You never cared about anything but yourself, you selfish bastard, so how come you suddenly love the North so much! While falling into the abyss below C Lutheon, screaming, made his spear blaze crimson once again. Callius also swung the Predator Sword in response. Kwaaang!! Callius, although he managed to block the Exploding Spear, was knocked away by the recoil from the explosion. Whirlik! As he bumped against the cliffside walls, Callius pushed himself off it with a somersault and charged towards Lutheon once more. Ahhhhh! Within that seemingly endlessly abyss C As Callius sword emanated silver energy in the darkness, the swaying edge of the quick sword seemed to undergo a subtle metamorphosis. Slashing into the air, now? Lutheon, who was about to throw his spear with a laugh, frowned for an instant. Hed thought his opponent was merely a moth leaping into the flames, but then something strange appeared behind Callius back. What is that, in the air? It was a skill of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art that hed seen before, the White Haze. It had been painted in the air. The White Haze was a technique to hide sword energy under the ground and then reverse it into a swift attack. Seeing it painted in the air, Lutheon couldnt help but be nervous. No matter how confident he might have been in his spear, the Silver Flower Wave Sword art could not be underestimated. The Empire feared it, because it was her swordsmanship. Kuuuuuuu!! A wave of brutal sword energies rushed from behind Callius. Kwaaang! Lutheon clenched his teeth tightly and swung the Exploding Spear Ames to break the flying sword fragments one by one. Although the sword energies surged madly at a speed that couldnt be followed with the naked eye, unlike when they were fired from hidden places beneath the ground, the White Haze painted in the air was much easier to block. Kwang! The deflagration dispersed, revealing Lutheon and Callius, still falling. The moment they met again C All of a sudden, the area around Lutheon was covered with silver petals. Oh shit. Hed been too absorbed blocking the White Haze to deflect Callius sword. Having taken off Vivis Bracelet, Callius now radiated a tremendous amount of energy. That bastards Silver Flower Wave Sword takes away the opponents power and makes it his own. And pours it out in an instant like a rising wave. Such was the swordsmanship of a Saint. Silver Flower Wave Sword, Raging Flower Wave. A path of flowers, made up of petals of brutal sword energy, reached out as if to tear Lutheon apart. Callius! Dont think youre the only one who gained something! Lutheons spun his spear violently in mid-air and caught it in his hand. Soon, the Exploding Spear shone with an intense crimson brilliance that it had never shown before. A dazzling radiance of divine power. When it condensed to a single point C In Gods name! Lutheons spear pierced into the Raging Flower Wave. At a single point, from which an explosion split the waves apart. Kwaaang! With that grand explosion C The two forms disappeared in the darkness. Seok. Like heavy smoke settling to the ground and piling up into clumps of ash, memories that are not mine slowly sink into my brain. Callius. Is there really a God? A boy who brings out a question that had been nestled in a corner of his heart. If there is a God, why did he build a spear or a sword? They end up causing war and death Despite knowing it to be blasphemy, he cant help but blurt out such words. A boy who never puts down his doubts and questions about the existence of God. Lutheon, the youngest member of the Ruydren family, a great noble family of the South; one who is not devout in his faith, but enjoys learning. A child with both wisdom and martial talent, grows into a young man over the years. And when that youth appears again as a man, unlike before C There is a spear in his hand. Why. Why are you with her Lutheon asks with a pale face. And the woman in your arms who turns her head. Cloudy memories fade like ink dripping into water. When you open your eyes C All you see is darkness. Huuuung C! Welcome to hell. Ugh did I faint there for a while? Callius, who regained his consciousness mid-air while falling into the abyss, took Loas in his hand and reversed it. Ugh! And he stabbed in into the cliffside next to him. Kuguguguguguk! The shattering sound of the rock walls and the pain from his torn arm muscles almost made him faint again. But that was only for a while. Thump. Hanging from that single sword, the out-of-breath Callius breathed again, white steam rising into the air. Haah, Im alive. He couldnt see even one inch ahead, but the horrific pain coming from his back and shoulders told him that hed lived. His whole body creaked and ached from several bruises and minor burns. If not for the Cloak of Twilight, he wouldve been seriously injured. The cloak, being an artefact, had taken the brunt of the explosions. As evidence, the cloak was only slightly charred, but not torn anywhere. It was worth every penny hed spent to buy it. By the way C Did I just dream? Perhaps it was the past of the original Callius. In that memory, Lutheon had been a boy and then a young man. At the end of it all C The last day before hed left as a Pilgrim. Lutheon no longer had any trace of his old curiosity. Instead his eyes had lost all their fire, as if he had nothing left in the world. Lutheon He had quite a tumultous fate. Despite being a scion of the fourth noble family of Carpe, he turned traitor, escaping to the Empire and serving Lactus. I now knew why he turned apostate. The reason for his betrayal Was it because of that woman? That was then C Startle. Dismissing my train of thought, I looked around. When my eyes, that had gotten used to the darkness, saw the surroundings for the first time, I realized that it was a place full of greenery. I gathered my divine power into a small flame. And what I saw C Its all the way down. The Sinking Forest ended just below the point where I had stopped myself by sinking my sword into the cliffside. It was the floor of the abyss. It was filled with lush greenery, as if it had not been touched by human hands for a long time. I thought that coming down here would still be a long while later I knew I wouldnt die easily no matter where I fell, but even so, it was a place I didnt want to come to. The bottom of the forest was a place with a cruel ecosystem, worse than even a land swarming with Orcs. This place had been left alone for a long time. In its independent ecosystem, there were creatures that had long disappeared from everywhere else, same as the deep sea. Like the legendary Dragons, or mythical monsters. Trolls, Cyclops, Goblins, and more. This is where they built their own territories, and lived. A land abandoned by the Gods. The Forsaken Valley, Altara. Since I fell to a place infested with such bastards, I had to be careful with every single footstep. Otherwise Rrrrumble. Theyve smelled it already. Thats why theyre coming. Loup-garou. A hybrid of wolves and Goblins, living in packs. A short, bizarre, hairless, bipedal wolf-shaped monster. They came smelling it. Stronger and more powerful than goblins. With a keen sense of smell and hearing. Living in packs, they were the intelligent hunters and scavengers of the Forsaken Valley. One or two of them appeared in the darkness with their eerie red eyes flashing. The number is about sixteen. Will I be able to deal with them as they are now? The bones all over my body are throbbing. Its not a shallow wound. I got caught up in an explosion several times, and forcibly used the White Haze and the Raging Flower Wave without being able to even take a proper posture in the air. Thanks to that, my body is in terrible condition. But I can move better than I thought. Callius looked at his sword. Predator Sword C Loas. The same as when fighting Master Bernard. And also while dealing with Lutheon. Was it an illusion that he received less damage than expected? Predation. Callius, who fell into a momentary contemplation about the meaning of the word, erased his thoughts and raised his sword. Hududuk. That was then C Where did the sound of footsteps come from? The loups-garous gazes turned to another place. The bushes shook, and a mans form began to appear. A man holding a spear in one hand. Callius, youre alive. And so are you. They looked at each other as if they felt disappointed and clicked their tongues. Each thought that the other might have died from the fall, but it seemed that was not the case. Really, he wouldnt die easily[1]. Lutheon. This guy was still alive. It was dark, so it was hard to see, but it didnt seem like he was in good condition. That was good news, but the situation was not good. Callius, did you tame these bastards in this little while? He seemed to be talking about the loups-garous around them. Callius didnt like the him chirping, but he wasnt yet sure what his intentions were. Lutheon. I see you survived, but dont try and pretend that its been easy. The loups-garous alternated their gazes at Lutheon and Callius, had revealed a gap. The loups-garous were stuck in the middle between the two of them. The original encirclement lost its meaning when Lutheon appeared at their flank. Lutheons surroundings lit up brightly. He was emitting divine power from his whole body. Divine power coloured red, deep as the twilight. Kyaaaah! As it brightened up the surroundings, the loups-garous screamed in suffering as if seeing they were seeing light for the first time in their lives. However, Callius saw through the others condition. Youre not alright, either. One hand was bent grotesquely, and blood dripped from his forehead. Hed also been wounded in their fierce battle while they fell. His broken arm probably meant that hed landed badly unlike Callius. Nevertheless, his fighting spirit made Callius skin tingle it was being pricked with needles, so he couldnt help but praise him inside. Lutheon was still full of a will to fight. Callius. Im asking just in case, but you dont know how to get out of this place, do you? Do you think Id teach you even if I know? Im glad. If youd known, I wouldve regretted it. You mean you couldnt kill me? Right. Psk. His smile brought back the memories of their old days as monks. However, it was then C Incensed at the dazzling light of divine power, one of the loups-garous attacked Lutheon. Shut up, you wolf bastard. Puck, kwaang! A small explosion easily and instantly dispatched the single loup-garou. But as the first of them rushed, the other loups-garous also charged behind it with screams. Lutheon clicked his tongue and blasted them with the Exploding Spear again and again. Youd better stop that. When four or five loups-garous were brutally blasted to death, the rest faltered in fear. Did Jervains maniac get scared? Far as I know, although youre not good at swordsmanship, youre never been afraid of anyone. I just dont want to go through any trouble. Dont be so noisy. What do you mean? As if he didnt know what Callius was talking about, Lutheon frowned. If you make such a loud noise, he will come. The starving bastard of the Forsaken Valley would appear. The glutton of Altara who was always hungry and always craving food. Kugugung. Kung!! A huge form appeared in the distance, shaking the earth. The remnant of the fallen Giants. [Sub Quest] [The Bastard Son of the Giants, begins] Troll. The Forsaken King. It was a Troll. Editors Notes: [1] ?? (lit. life line), used here as his life line is long. Chapter 49 Troll. The Bastard Son of the Giants. Or a being that could be called a failure. God gave them strong vitality and physical strength, but the intellect was almost entirely stripped away. It was natural for them to have become extinct. But amongst these deserted cliffs C In this isolated abyss, such an existence was still alive and well. A Troll!? Are you talking about the Bastard Sons of those Giants whod disappeared during the Age of Dusk[1]? Youre watching one right now. Kugugugung! Grooooooowl! Wielding a gigantic club of unknown origin, he advanced, shattering every scrap of stone barring his path. To think that a creature I only ever read about still exists. Lutheon, whose fighting spirit had been burning just now, could only fake a grin as he looked at the gigantic form of the Troll. Of course, it was natural. A Bastard Son of the Giants who had once reigned like Gods. The Trolls, who inherited their sires blood, bones and flesh, were strong enough to break even the tallest mountains, their skins were as hard as steel, and their gigantic bodies taller than seven meters exuded an otherworldly majesty. To humans, such an existence was nothing less than a transcendental incarnation of violence. Facing an apex predator like a Troll, any being in the food chain could do naught but lose their spirit, like a mouse cowering in front of a lion. Kwadadak! It found a loup-garou hidden under a pile of rocks, grabbed it at once, and put it in its mouth. C Kiyyyyiiiing!! There was a pathetic scream, but soon, kwad, kwadadak. Along with the crunching sound of bones and flesh being chewed, the loup-garous screams cut off. In its place, only an eerie sound of some unidentifiable liquid dripping on the ground echoed through the silent valley. Like jackals in the presence of a far more powerful predator, the group of loups-garous had long since disappeared. Naturally, the Trolls yellow eyes now turned towards Lutheon and Callius. Lutheon. Do you know? What are you babbling about in this situation? Just by facing the Trolls pupils, his body had stiffened like a mouse in front of a snake. What the hell was the guy asking in such a situation? Lutheon glanced at Callius with a frown. Even at the sight of the Troll, the maniacs complexion had not changed, and he quietly spat out some nonsense. Its said that Trolls eat little food compared to their huge size. Is that some good information in this situation You really have some nasty hobbies. It wont hurt to hear me out. Tell me, then. How much food do they eat per day. While he was grumbling, Callius showed off his knowledge. They say its less than a hundred kilos. Hes probably not a full-grown adult, so maybe half that would be enough. Whereas a four-ton elephant eats about one hundred kilograms a day, a Troll weighing close to ten tons eats far too little in comparison. It has some very strange biological functions. That little? No, how do you even know that? I dont think Hetairas Monster Encyclopaedia mentions that kind of detail. Ignoring Lutheons doubts C Callius continued to speak. Its not much compared to the Trolls body size. He ate three loups-garous here, so hes almost reached the recommended daily amount. Probably, hell be satisfied with somebody your size. Once he ate another serving the size of one Lutheon, hed feel full enough. Thats exactly what Callius wanted to say. Trolls, like other beasts, do not hunt when they are full. So he was saying, get eaten. It was a bad joke. Dont spew bullshit, Callius. Even if I cant use an arm, Im not going to just die here. Not even for her. Her, huh. Maybe the her he was talking about Im not afraid of Trolls. Its too late to run away with this body anyway. Isnt it the same for you too? The odds are pretty bad, but you and I might be able to defeat the Troll. Even the remnants of Giants were, after all, living creatures. Once upon a time, Knights who hunted Trolls were considered paragons. Most of those who had risen to the ranks of Masters[2] in the current world, had a history of encountering Trolls. Well have to wait and see. Are you scared, Callius? You had the same expression on your face when Esther slashed at you with a sword when you were a monk. Shut your trap, Lutheon. Ive never been defeated by anyone. What are you saying, didnt you used to lose every day? Despite his grumbles, Lutheon curved his lips as if remembering the old days. However, suddenly, that turned into a bitter laugh. Callius. Kung! Kung! Kung!! The Troll started jumping. Every time his feet hits the ground, broken rocks scattered and a violent quake ripped across the valley. What. Please dont get me wrong. I will never forgive you. We can chat about those little things later, hes coming! C Grooooooooooooowl! The Troll screamed and wielded his club. Lutheon took a step forward, his divine power swirling all around him. And at that very moment C Callius sprinted, with divine power all around him! Huh? Lutheon, who had a blank face for a moment, turned and looked back, pouring out a few words that shouldnt have come from the mouth of a believer. You god-damned bastard! Arent you still a noble? Callius, still sprinting, answered calmly. Im a Pilgrim. Besides, when did I ever say Ill fight the Troll? You crazy C! Here, of course, we should fight together!! Kwaang!! Lutheon, who managed to avoid the Trolls swing by falling into a roll, stomped on the ground with a kick. No matter how injured he was, his uncanny reflexes still remained. While minimizing damage, he began to run, forcing divine power into his legs. If I can leave here, Ill kill you right away, Callius! What did you expect from an enemy, Lutheon? Likewise, if I can go out here, I will surely kill you with my own hands! A valley with no sunlight, only darkness. A place where ancient beasts with strange shapes and habits still coexisted in an ecosystem with their own habitats. In this deserted valley, where luminous plants and glowstones embedded in various places emitted a mysterious light, the animals began to escape causing an untimely commotion. Kwang! Kwaaang! Kuuuung!! Along with a huge quake, there were intermittent loud bangs. As the Troll appeared through the cloud of sand and dust, two men run away like their lives depended on it. It was Lutheon and Callius. Damn!! How does he know exactly where Im hiding! That sluggish idiot! Sunlight hasnt reached this place since forever. Naturally, instead of sight, his sense of smell has become more sensitive! Before they even finished talking C Lutheon and Callius threw themselves away, one as fast as the other. At that moment, a great club cleaved through the air. Kwaang!! While being hit by the scattered debris, they forced their creaking legs once more and ran. Kreung! Kekung! Get off, you dogs! An explosion burst from Lutheons Exploding Spear, and Callius Sword slashed at the other beast. Kwang! Chwaak! Contrary to the scene of the beasts being routed in an instant, the complexions of the two men were not that good. Damn it. They ran away by cutting down all the beasts in their way, and ran for so long. But what they found at the end was a huge wall. It was a dead end. Gwoooooooooo! Kuung. Their pursuer also seemed to be quite tired, as he sprayed a lot of white drool. It smells awful. Anticipating the upcoming meal, viscous saliva was dripping from its lips like an animal waiting for its prey. Lips were filled with a smile. But confronting that filthy and disgusting gaze, Lutheon merely frowned, and Callius just raised his sword. Lutheon. What now? I think he has little to no vision. I guess so. He seemed to depend more on hearing and smell than sight. They had already had a few rounds of confrontation followed by escape, enough to get a glimpse of the predators style. This place was dark and untouched by sunshine, so although the Troll did have eyes, his hunting method relied more on smell and hearing rather than sight. Hed been living down here in the dark for a long time. Enough to be called a living fossil. So it was a safe assumption to make. A Trolls skin is as hard as steel, true but not all parts of their bodies are. The nostrils and the ear canals would be different, is that what you mean? Worth a try. They were at a dead end anyway. It was all or nothing. There was no other way out. In the first place, this was an area where the current Callius should not have stepped foot on. This was a place where youd have difficulties even if you carried a Vision Sword, but what Callius was carrying instead was not even a proper Spirit Sword; and to top it all off he fell down here with Lutheon in tow. If you say the plan was derailed, then it was derailed from the start. But itd already happened. Now he had to do whatever he could to survive. Damn it, so I have to do it in the end? You telling me to take the most dangerous part? Im not that crazy yet. Lutheon, with my sword and skill, grabbing his attention is the limit. You have to admit what you have to admit. Predator Sword C Loas, which was nothing more than a half-finished Spirit Sword, couldnt inflict deep wounds on a Trolls skin. Even if it did, it would be a scratch that would regenerate in a moment. But the Exploding Spear was different. If one inserted that bomb-like spear into the Trolls nostrils and explode it, they could probably do a lot of damage. But it wont kill him. Hell recover soon anyway. Trolls were called the Bastard Sons of the Giants, but there was one area in which they were superior. Regenerative ability. You have no idea how far a Trolls regeneration goes. It can be rightly called a grace of God. Its said that even the Dragons of that ancient age would eat a Troll to recover if they got sick or seriously injured. Any further explanation is unnecessary. Even if you sever an arm or two, theyll heal that quickly, if you can imagine that. Lutheon was right. With that power of regeneration, even the attacks that bypassed the Trolls armour-like skin would heal quickly. No, thats all I need. Even if it was a very short time. It was enough if they could stop its movements for just a brief moment. Damn, if this doesnt work, Ill kill you before the Troll can eat you. I have no intention of dying for your sake. Just as their conversation finished C As if waiting for that moment, the Trolls attack began. Kwaang!! He tried to smash them with his huge front paw, but when they both evaded immediately, a snort resounded. And he swung the club in his right hand with the speed of lightning. Kwang! Kwaaang! Hududuk! Every time the Troll moved, scattered shards of stone stung the duos forms. A sharp rock shard struck Callius in the face, and blood gushed out. But Callius saw an opportunity. Silver Flower Wave Sword: First Martial Skill. Raging Flower Wave. The opponent held no sword that could be scraped away. Therefore, Callius scattered his sword energies to confuse the opponent. And also, the next martial skill, White Haze. Wielding an extremely swift quick sword in all directions, he painted the technique onto the ground. The energies scattered from the sword nestled within the ground, reversed directions and flew back upward countless times faster. Third Martial Skill: Other Shore Flower[3]. The scattered energies of Raging Flower Wave and White Haze C They intermixed exquisitely, and delivered a single blow. It was still an unfinished technique, but it was achieved as precisely as possible with the corrections of the Tricolour Eye. Silver-coloured sword energies sharply struck the Trolls whole body from all directions, and an undulating burst of Raging Flower Wave attacked his face. Soon, the silver petals and the translucent haze merged into Callius sword. The sharp energies condensed on the blade trembled sharply, and something strange burst free from it. A sword skill imbued with a thousand changes, yet unified as one. Silver Flower Wave Sword: Other Shore Flower. However, at that instant C Huuung!! As if the attacks had merely tickled him, the Troll swung his club in a simple blow that smashed both skills apart, and struck Callius as it passed. Kwaang!! Ugh! Whirlik, kwang! The Trolls club, despite it being a glancing blow, threw Callius into the opposite wall at once. My arm His left shoulder had given way. It had been completely twisted. At least hed managed to offset enough of the shock with the Six Peak Flowers technique, otherwise a direct hit wouldve killed him instantly. The Trolls power was too strong for mere humans to easily resist. However C Lutheon!! His face distorted with pain, Callius exclaimed. At that time C Look here, you monster bastard! Lutheons Exploding Spear Ames, which had soared high into the sky, burst with a crimson blaze. The happy expression on the Trolls face faded, and he screamed at the bright light, closing his eyes tightly. But Lutheon was one step faster. Berserker Verse[4]!! Kwaaaaaang!! A great explosion bloomed from the spears tip. As if most of the divine power had been collected, condensed, and burst, the explosion filled the entire area and ravaged it. One couldnt even see an inch ahead within the smoke. However C C Graaaaaaaaaaah! A scream filled with pain rang out. Kuuung! As the giant form fell, a cloud of sand and dust once again filled the valley. Callius! Stop procrastinating and go already! I did everything you told me to do! Did you yes! Hududuk. Callius rushed out from where hed struck the wall, grabbing something in his hands, leaving Loas behind on the floor. Hurry up! Hes getting up! Kwang! Kwang! Kwang!! In order to buy even a little more time, Lutheon squeezed out the last of his remaining divine power and unleashed another blow of the Exploding Spear. However, the Trolls regenerative power was even greater than they had anticipated. C Grrrrruaaaaa! Whirlik, pug!! Kwaaang! Kkaahaaah!! Lutheon was blown away with a single gesture that was akin to swatting away a fly. However, he did not forget to wield the spear even at that moment. C Grrruaa! Was it the first time he was experiencing pain? The Trolls eyes had ruptured from several explosions, and tears were now flowing freely from them. But even so, the organs was recovering quickly, at a speed visible to the naked eye. But one thing was different. His gaze. His eyes were different from before. They were the eyes of a prey, not those of a predator. Fear. Terror. The eyes contained such an emotion. Perhaps because how unfamiliar it was, the very first experience of suffering pain in his life had filled his eyes with terror. That was why he couldnt get up and was struggling now. This moment was their only and last opportunity. Callius!! At Lutheons cry, Callius squeezed out the last dregs of his power and climbed onto the Trolls face. Then he threw the vial in his grasp into the creatures jaws. A vial filled with the most precious substance he had ever created. Holy water of Valtherus. Editors Notes: [3] ??? (pianhua), red spider lily. In Japanese folklore the flower is called other shore flower, as it is said to grow on the shores of the Sanzu river (the Japanese version of the Styx). Why use that specific name? Because it fits, and also rule of cool. Chapter 50 Holy water of Valtherus. Its sacred for those who serve the sword, created by the Order of Valtherus. When it comes to the Churchs holy water, most people think of it as a healing potion first. Because amongst the various divine miracles, curing an incurable disease is the one that can most easily capture the peoples hearts. Therefore, its more widely known as a panacea, but the original purpose of the holy water bestowed by God was not medicinal treatment. What was the original purpose of holy water? Demon extermination. Originally, holy water was meant to be used to repel and purify demonic power[1]. C Guoooooooh! Urrggh! And the secret behind the birth of the Trolls is also related to those Demons. The Bastard Son of Giants and Demons. Half virtuous, half demonic. Half-person, half-demon. That is the origin of the being called Troll. Even a small amount of holy water can inflict extreme pain upon them. Originally, this strategy would only be found out after gathering a lot of information, but Because this is how I set it. So I cant help but know. Lutheon he fainted. Looked like hed lost consciousness after that last shout. I watched the struggling Troll. His painful screams were growing louder and louder, but things seemed to have worked out so far. I wanted to end it with some more holy water, but I only had that one bottle with me. The rest were with Bruns. Anyway, I just need to wait. If I left him alone, the Troll will soon expire. C Guoooaaaah! The Troll abruptly raised himself up and started to escape. At the start, he could only spew out blood and crawl, but that soon changed into a walking gait, while still screaming and spraying blood everywhere. Perhaps he wanted to return to his original home. Hmm Callius, whod been so desperate very recently, was feeling somewhat relaxed. Rather, he slowly followed the Troll, thinking this might not be a bad thing. Hed jumped down here while facing Lutheon. Roughly speaking, the situation was already over, and Lutheon too was in a moribund state, so the only remaining problem was how to get back up to the forest. Perhaps he could find the answer by following the Troll. C Guoooh!! Guaaaaaa!! As if this was his first time experiencing such suffering, the Troll was writhing in pain, his face full of tears and snot. The nearby animals ran away at his loud screams. He put one foot in front of the other, slow like a turtle. Instinctive fear formed anxiety, eventually leading him to his nest, the place where he could feel the most secure. Because of the sudden commotion, the nearby beasts did not dare approach Callius. Thanks to that, he was able to peacefully follow behind, and finally arrived at the destination after quite a long walk. The Trolls Oyster. The nest of a being that had a characteristic similar to the Dragons. The place shone exceptionally brightly compared to the surrounding areas, filled with a multitude of sparkling glowstones, and one would think as expected of a Trolls den at the first glance. Perhaps because there were no challengers nearby, the Troll could live this kind of life. The Oyster carved out of stone was quite huge. The Trolls height was over seven meters, so it was only natural. There were a number of interesting parts inside the cave, but Callius was most interested in a place with all sorts of junk. All sorts of odds and ends had piled up there for a long time, and it was full of dust. Trolls habitually love shiny things, so they hoard this type of bits and pieces like treasures. This is it. It was full of traces of the owners long past years. Before the Sinking Forest originally formed, this place Among the clutter, Callius picked up an object engraved with a strange pattern. A ring, with a wing carved on it. Its a relic of the Vira tribe. Vira. Due to the nature of the local terrain, there had been an indigenous tribe living here long ago. As it was a somewhat remote and independent location, they had their own mysterious culture and believed in their own unique faith. The Forsaken Valley, Altara. Its original name was the Valley of the Winds. The Vira were a tribe of people who enjoyed flying in the strong winds that blew through the cliffs. Using ancient tribal artifacts called Leteti[2], relics of a now forgotten faith. The Vira, an ancient tribe whod lived in an abyss thousands of meters below ground level. And a Leteti, a holy relic of the now-forgotten Winged God whom theyd served, was the only way to escape from this place. But this one is out of power. It was too old and tattered. Itd probably be hard to make it work. After throwing the Leteti away, Callius searched a bit more and found a lot of similar objects. Most of them were in similar condition. However, in their own way, the Vira people must have been quite strong thousands of years ago. There were so many relics just strewn around the place. They mustve had advanced flying techniques to help in their hunts and battles. Perhaps, if it were not for the disaster that struck here, the northern lands of today might not have belonged to Carpe. Didnt a horde of Trolls running away from the invading Demons come here and destroy them? Ah, found it. It was easy to find by looking with the Tricolour Eye. When he opened the wooden box shining gold, Callius found a Leteti inside. The ring seemed to be of a higher grade than the rest, and was still in excellent condition. It had probably been used by somebody of high status within the tribe. Callius immediately put the ring on his finger and injected divine power. A lot of energy disappeared in an instant. He was surprised for a moment, but it didnt stop there, and as he injected a little more power, the rings wing pattern started sparkling with colours. Unfold. Soon, the metal part within the ring unfolded into huge wings, crafted from steel and Callius divine power. As soon as he grabbed the handle that had unfolded from the ring, the colourful wings flapped with a soft beat. Callius nodded with contentment as he felt a strange floating sensation. Its better than I thought. He was holding the base of the wings with one hand, so he thought it might be difficult to hold onto without sufficient arm strength, but his worries turned out to be unfounded. It was as if the wind itself was supporting Callius body. Climbing the cliff wouldnt be too difficult if that were the case. As soon as the supply of divine power was cut off, the Leteti returned to the form of the small ring. It was an artifact so sophisticated that it was hard to believe that it had been created by an ancient tribe. Originally, its something I wouldnt be able to get right now. At Callius current level, it was a treasure that was completely out of his reach. Had he been alone, he wouldnt have even considered dealing with a Troll. Even if he created a small gap during the fight, he wouldnt have been able to injure the enemy like Lutheon had done. He was able to get this artifact only because he had been together with the variable called Lutheon. I only spent about an hour on this. My initial problem was how to take it away avoiding the Trolls eyes, but things went much easier. Originally, from the time he fell here, Callius had been thinking about how to retrieve the Leteti. The Troll of the Forsaken Valley was a Half-Demon that could only be dealt with once you had at least a Vision Sword, whereas Callius only had a Half-Spirit Sword in his hands. Of course, the reward was good, but the risk was extreme. In addition, things would have gotten even more complicated if the Troll had company, and the expected survival rate was too low, so he had been quite worried. In the first place, the key was how to handle Lutheon. But thankfully, things turned out to be easier than hed thought. Lutheon was lying half-dead, and if he left the Troll as it was, it would also soon perish. Even with that great regenerative power, a Troll cant defend against holy water. A Troll with demonic origins has no recourse against holy water imbued with the energy of exorcism. Even if he tried to vomit it out right away, the holy water had the innate property of being instantly absorbed into the body, so the Trolls death was assured. If I could look for Trolls other than this one, maybe therell be better things Perhaps not this Leteti, but something more worthy of being called a sacred object. But Callius shook his head. Excessive greed always leads to ruin. In the first place, the process this time had been so smooth because the Troll was not even an adult. Unfortunately, hed have to wait for the next opportunity. Because this alone is great enough. Hed been looking all over the place to see if he could find anything. Most of the ancient relics just flashed but didnt work. There were things like swords and bows, but they were not useful weapons. Callius rummaged through the Trolls hoard and found a suitable bag and some old-looking pottery. As he looked around and picked up a few more things, he suddenly saw the quest completion notification in front of his eyes. [Sub Quest] [The Bastard Son of the Giants, complete] [A reward is given for the first successful Troll hunt] [Reward C Refined Troll Potion] [Health +4] Ohh! Refined Troll Potion! He got an unexpected reward. Troll blood contained demonic energy, so it had to be purified before drinking, but he got the refined end product as the reward. He had a busted arm and bruises all over his body from his close encounters with Lutheon and the Troll, and the holy water had already been spent, so it was just what he needed right now. Callius chugged down the purified Troll blood in one breath. Ugh, its so tasteless it feels nasty. All medicines were like that, but the Troll Potion was tasteless beyond imagination. The bloody smell was so strong that he mightve vomited if he had a slightly weak stomach. Still, the effect is good. There was some pain and itching as the broken bones re-aligned. All over the body. For a moment, he circulated his spirit power to his whole body to check the condition, and the wounds definitely seemed to be slowly healing. The potion was worth its reputation. As tasteless as it was, the effect was obvious. But to call it the first successful hunt Its strange. The first successful hunt. There must have been many other beings who had hunted the Trolls. Some of those who now stood in the ranks of Masters had a history of hunting Trolls. Yet he was called the first. Am I the first player? But the funny thing was, if that had indeed been the meaning, wouldnt that imply that there were other players besides himself? No. It was probably just a quirk of the system. It feels like a game to me, but I still dont know for sure. Is this a real world? Or is it a game? If neither, then what exactly is it? Callius was lost in thought for a while, but there was something he had to do first. After passing through a huge passageway, he reached the central pit where he thought the Troll might be, and indeed he found it crouched on a bed of soft grass. Hes dead. Breath had stopped. There was plenty of blood splashed all around. Callius lips curved into an arc. Although they were said to have inherited the blood of the Giants, in the end they were a different race. As the saying went, half-virtuous, half-demonic, a Troll was a demonic hybrid. Callius bit his index finger to draw out some drops of his own blood. He started drawing something on the floor around the fallen Troll. Each of the letters written in blood was imbued with reverence and filled with his divine power. I call on God, and may God answer with His sword. Unlike other Pilgrims, Callius could create a Carcass without having to perform a proper corpse ritual. Originally, it was a players prerogative. But just for today, he decided to hold a formal corpse ceremony. A Troll that hadnt matured yet. Even so, he was looking forward to seeing what kind of a Carcass it might create. Seok. The runes, written in blood, glowed silver. The more urgent the voice of Callius, who called to his God, the brighter the light. As the light of divine power filled all directions, the Trolls body crumbled like burning paper. The shattered body turned into rustling ashes and was then reborn as a single sword. A broadsword. A large sword with a flat, wide blade. A double-edged sword with a grayish-white colour as if made of bone. The two edges were coloured dark red. It was a Spirit Sword made from a Troll. Shit. Seeing the swords form, Callius immediately spat out a curse. Hed been hoping for a Vision Sword till the very end, but no luck. Its stupid, really. [Strong Sword C Gwydd] Grade C Spirit Sword. Infused Soul C Gwydd, the Troll. Unique Ability C Spirit Descent[3]. Um? Spirit Descent? Its unique ability, however C Caught his attention. Editors Notes: [2] Leteti (/lteti/) is a Serbo-Croatian word, meaning to fly. In the same language, Vira means belief, faith or religion. [3] ?? (kangshin) is a religious term that refers to a phenomenon in which superhuman or supernatural beings possess a human or object or are present in a ritual process. See encykorea article. Chapter 51 To be honest, Id been anticipating the grade to possibly even touch the edge of vision sword. But it ended up being a spirit sword, probably because the troll whose body it was made from was a young one. Its unfortunate, but still, not bad. A sword that was a little wide. A broadsword, in other words. The scabbard and exterior were all gray-white, as if it was made entirely of bone. Gwydd. Despite being only a spirit sword, the soul inhabiting it was that of a troll, and its unique ability was Spirit Descent. Spirit Descent, huh. Spirit Descent (Descent of God). In simple terms, it could be explained as being possessed by a God by requesting Him through folk spells or magic. Probably, it will strengthen the sword with the might of a troll. In doing so, Callius would be able to use the trolls power for a short time. But abilities like that are almost always one-shots. He had no idea about its duration. It was too early to fall in love with it because he didnt even know what kind of risks there might be. Still, theres nothing wrong with having one more trump card. It was a wide and long two-handed sword, not suitable to be worn on the waist, so he thought hed have to make a belt and hang it behind his back. Since it was a moderately heavy sword with a long reach, mastering it would take a little time, unlike Loas. All this trolls blood its a shame. As befit its body size, the troll had spewed out so much blood that puddles had formed here and there. Callius collected some of the blood with some pottery and vases he grabbed from the mountain of junk. It was a precious ingredient that he didnt know when he might see again. He had to grab as much as he could. Because there were many uses for this blood. I couldve taken a little more if I had Bruns cloth bag. It was a pity that he wasnt here due to the current circumstances. Ill have to come back here when the war is over. The relics of the Vira tribe would probably sell at a high price to the spirit crafters. Even a broken artifact would be something precious to them. Just selling them off on the auction houses of the Church or Tristar would make a lot of money. The more money, the better. After taking a few more Vira artifacts in a suitable container, Callius started making his way out of the trolls den, but stopped halfway. Hmm Hed been looking around with the Tricolour Eye to check if hed missed taking anything, when something caught his attention. What is this? A small spot glimmered gold on the smooth wall. It was not red or blue, but gold. Maybe there was something? He didnt have to worry about danger because it wasnt showing red under the Tricolour Eye. Do I have to break through the wall? Callius started trying to pull out his new sword, Gwydd, but changed his mind and put it back in. It was a bit of a shame to use a brand-new sword to dig dirt, so he drew Loas instead. Kiiiiing. The sword keened sharply as if dissatisfied, but it was in vain. Its your fault for being useless[1]. Taeaeng!! A violent vibration broke out when he swung the sword and struck the wall. But, strangely, he couldnt even scratch the wall. What is this? The rock seemed to be nothing special, but thats why it was even more suspicious, because it didnt have a single scratch. I dont remember hiding this kind of a hidden piece. It didnt get scratched even when struck by the Predator Sword. No matter what, it was still a spirit sword! Wasnt this a bit suspicious? This wall was definitely not something ordinary. It was clearly artificially constructed by someone. Callius mouth curved up at the corners. Sheathing the Predator Sword, he now drew the Strong Sword[2] C Gwydd. The gray-white blade and its blood-red edges glistened under the luminescence of the glowstones. Callius, raising the spirit sword, immediately poured in his divine power. Ugh. A large amount of divine power, close to 30% of his capacity, disappeared immediately as if it had been sucked in, and a strange pattern spread over the blade. As the pattern unfurled, it took on an ominous green hue, and a sudden surge of vitality sprang up all through Callius body. Even the textures of his muscles now felt different. The sensation of his grip holding the swords handle, the feel of each joint, was noticeably different. An unparalleled power surged through his body, and his spirit soared with an irresistible sense of victory. Taking the reins of that overflowing power with both hands, Callius cut. KwaaaaaaangC!! A thunderous roar resounded throughout the cave. This nice!! Facing Callius who struck with his spirit sword, the wall helplessly collapsed, raising sand and dust. What tremendous power. As expected of a sword imbued with the spirit of a troll. It let you use the power of a troll. The time limit seemed short, but it could shine in moments of crisis. The more secret weapons, the better, so it was fine. Suuuuuuuu. The strength was released. The holding time was quite short. You could stretch it longer, but the divine power consumption would be too great. Close to 30% of divine power was taken away just to activate the ability for an instant. But there were clear advantages, too. Imagine that. Even the trolls regeneration. Of course, that hed drank the potion was also a factor, but during Spirit Descent, his regenerative power had increased exponentially. As a result, almost 90% of Callius wounds were now fully healed. His body felt light and there were no particular aftereffects left by Spirit Descent. If there was, it was that too much divine power had been consumed. If its like this, theres no need to feel disappointed about not getting a vision sword. I feel like I got a windfall. Cheok. With the sword back in its sheath, Callius crossed the devastation he had created just now with a spring in his step. A passageway that had been created because the entire outer wall, about three meters in length, had been smashed down. Really. The insides were strange. Not natural rock, but artificial walls made of mud and stone stretched at the sides of the passage. The strange bricks were engraved with geometric patterns and runes, and at the end of the passage, he could feel a subtle and refreshing divine energy. Divine power. He could feel the energy of God. Relic Probably not. Relics do not reveal their divine power so clearly. Rather, they hide their presence. So this was no sacred object. When he thought about it, one thing came to mind. Is it supposed to be here? Callius sped up even further. Perok! Kwaang, he kicked the stone wall at the end of the passage! As it crumbled down, cold air rushed from inside and tickled his scalp. Beyond the fallen stone wall C Callius eyes widened. I didnt know Id find you here. One who had once been revered as a saint of the Church, who had one day suddenly disappeared while travelling through the North. The main quest he was now carrying out. She who had called the North a wheel, giving its name. Fatalite. Why are you here? She was kneeling down. A stone statue holding a sword and praying as if to prove her faith. A saint, and a highest-ranked paladin of the Order. The second-generation saint whod risen to the rank of Masters. There knelt Fatalite, now only unyielding stone. The divine power of a saint. Ive never felt it from the sacred stone, but this vast divine power its really amazing. The divine power hed consumed began to fill back up in an instant. Due to the constant battles and using the trolls divine ability, his divine power had been almost depleted, but just standing still here, the consumed power was being quickly replenished. When a saint dies from a Pilgrims sword, sacred stones can be born from the ?arra inside their bodies. However, the size would be smaller than a fist. Fatalite She must have had a large number of sacred stones inside her body. After she died like this, many years passed, and the sacred stones only made the decaying body harden like stone. [Fatalite] [You glimpsed the faith of Fatalite, who transformed into a divine jewel and created a sanctuary.] [By witnessing the wondrous end of the saint, your faith rises.] [Faith +10] There were many tricky parts. According to the setting, Fatalite had last been sighted in the North, and it was stated that she had never been seen since. What happened to her after that, he didnt know. But she must have ended her life here. Hed never considered it, but the fact that she was here made him think a lot of things. Fatalite, you There was a lot of ambiguity, but he decided not to think about it for too long. In the first place, him being in this world itself was something that could not be explained. Looking at her with a frown, Callius pulled something out of the stigma on the back of his hand. A single flower with an exquisite harmony of black and white. It was a Tear of Valtherus. I can plant it here. Tears of Valtherus must be planted in a land with strong divine energies where the sun does not reach. In other words, it would grow and prosper only in places considered holy. This was the place where the remains of Fatalite, who had been exalted as the saint who succeeded Stella, turned into stone and created a holy sanctuary, so it was a perfect place to plant the Tears of Valtherus. There could be no better place than this. In front of her kneeling form holding the sword, he planted the Tear of Valtherus, as if in tribute. As soon as it was planted, as if it was drinking in her divine power, the flower bloomed and sparkled with soft silver light. Taking some distance, he looked her and the flower for a long time. As if that scene like a painting held the secrets of how to escape from his own circumstances, and from his desperate fate. But then he shook his head and turned back. Now I have to go up. The North was still at war. The orcs who were still aiming for the North, and the Empire that hoped that the Shield of Carpe would be destroyed. Even right now, the orcs axes were striking the centre of the North, so he needed to return to the battlefield as soon as possible. Kwang! Clatter! He returned through the knocked-down wall blocking the passage, and when he came out of the burrow after packing his things, the deep darkness and the musty smell greeted him again. The presence of beasts could be felt everywhere. Loups-garous and other magical beasts had flocked to the cliff following the scent the blood. C Krrrrrr. The cries of the beasts crouching low on the ground were directed at Callius, who was alone. They approached with red eyes shining, like animals hunting for prey. But Callius gaze was not on them, but beyond. Lutheon He wont die. He wasnt going to die just from some beasts. Nevertheless, it was Callius greed that made him not end Lutheons life. The next time they meet. Only then would he turn him into a sword. Because hed be stronger by then, a better material. Callius glanced at the beasts, then raised his left hand and spread Letetis wings. Chwaaaak! The wings flapped according to his will and floated in the sky. Hwiiiiiiing!! Leaving behind the steep winds and the beasts looking at him futilely C Callius flew upwards, towards the ground. Kung! Kung! Kung! The sound of the orcs stomping footsteps could be heard all the way here. The sound and the trembling beneath their feet created a sense of fear, and deepened their anxiety. Master Rivan. Where is Miss Rinney? Orphin was hurriedly looking for Rinney. As there were signs that the war was about to begin, she was feeling a sense of urgency. She went to check the state of the orcs. In response to Orphins question, Rivan who was wiping down his sword with a dry cloth shook his head as if it was understandable. She wanted to go back to where Callius fell. He must be already dead. You know it too, Orphin. That was an abyss so deep that you couldnt see its end even if you dropped a torch though it. If you fall from there, surviving would be a miracle. Ive never heard of people who disappeared inside the Sinking Forest coming back to life. Orphin was silent. Rivan was correct. On the day Callius had fallen C They had tried out a lot of different things, over and over again. Like making long ropes out of grass and tree vines and throwing them down, or dropping torches. However, there was still no news after a week or so, and the knights who had been waiting in hope of a miracle were now fully acknowledging his death. Orphin. He did save us, and I know that he was a strong knight. Callius wasnt a trash who tainted Jervains name, he was a knight who shined more brilliantly than anyone else. Rivan, now C Only after Callius death did he recognize him. Didnt you hate him? I did. Still, I cant keep on hating people forever after their death. Its true that Callius was great. But he died. Even if he were alive, there was no way to save him, so he was as good as dead. So now was the time to give up. Rivan said so. The orcs are still strong. Jevarsch is still holding, but its going to run out of strength soon. It would be a great help if we can move the supplies Callius plundered to the citadel. The question is how to get them there. Orphin swallowed a sigh hearing Rivans calm words. If Callius had been here C If he were alive, they could have carried out the next measures without a hitch. Because hed said that he knew a secret way to move the supplies. However, now they couldnt use that method because he hadnt told the method to anyone in advance. Even though they had taken away all this food, they didnt have a way to move any of it. If hed been alive, it wouldnt have been a problem. Master Rivan is right, Sir Orphin. His death is sad, but the survivors must do their part. It was Jack. After Callius died C He showed a lot of interest in Rivan and began to follow him. He was already supporting Rivan. Not only Jack, but also the other knights were already splitting up to get behind either Rivan or Emily. Sir Jack. He plunged himself into the abyss with a formidable foe to save us. It is by his arrangement that we are alive now. Thats true, but! So that his sacrifice is not in vain! Shouldnt you wield your sword for the sake of the North? Orphin was at a loss for words. She couldnt find a way to respond. The knight of the Empire who had suddenly appeared had been strong. He had strong physical abilities and a terrifying spear. Those explosions were enough to make the knights tremble in fear, and driving him to death had been urgent and worth any sacrifice. If it werent for Callius C If not for his sacrifice, everyone there would have died. Sir Orphin. Sir Allen. Whats going on? The situation doesnt look good. Perhaps the earth dragons and orcs we missed have reached the main army by now. Right. It was Rinney and Emily. Both of them didnt look as good as before. Miss Rinney. Miss Emily. How was it? You can hear their stomping from all the way here. Maybe today or around dawn, there will be another battle. We should prepare now. That was then C PpuuuuuuuuC! The sound of a horn rang through the air. A sign of battle to make your heart sink. The screaming sound of a trumpet telling of the start of war spanned the blue sky. Under the gazes of everyone who looked back, the green wave swayed and began to move. Callius A little mouth could only pathetically groan, calling his name. Editors Notes: [1] ??? ? (lit. happy skate(fish)). Not sure it fully translates here. Basically, male skates dont taste good and have two large penises (!) that are troublesome to handle. Female skates are delicious and sold at a high price, but they often get fished out while, ahem, conjugated with a male. So fishermen just cut off the penises (?!) from any male skates they catch and throw them back to the sea. See article. [2] Going by actual characters, calling it Spirit Descent Sword would also be correct. But since we could only keep one translation, well just call it the Strong Sword from now on. On capitalization rules. Theres been a mess of capitlization rules from the start, and we tried to be consistent in how we handled it, even if some of it was wrong, but the problems been adding up. Temporary changes from this chapter, may apply to previous chapters after some time if were happy with it. Jobs, from knights to saints, are lowercase. Pilgrims are uppercase since theyre a specific group of pilgrims not fully described by the word. Church and Order being sprcific institutions are uppercase; North, Kingdom, Empire are too. Races, from orcs to trolls, are lowercase just like humans are (not very Tolkien, but thats the modern rule). Suggestions welcome. Base rule is mostly from here. Chapter 52 Sparks flew. Screams echoed across the battlefield, accompanied by the noise of cutting flesh and breaking bones. The orcs whipped the beasts, wielded their axes, and dyed the snowy fields with blood. They used nothing but infantry wave tactics[1]. That simple tactic of merely throwing in more and more numbers frustrated the defenders within Jevarsch. The only tactic known by the orcs, who valued honour above all, was to just charge and keep charging. Facing enemies who attacked as if they had no concept of death, the people of the North finally began to crumble. Stop it! Stop it, fuck it!! Ugh! Sa, save me!! C-crunch! With the sound of breaking bones, brain matter splashed in all directions. Immediately, the nearby soldiers stabbed with their swords, and a knight surprised the orc from the back. And so fell another orc, but one more orc wielding an axe took his place. An orc squeezed through the broken gates and slashed his axe down. A knight pierced that orc in the throat with his sword. The battle repeated such scenes again and again like a never-ending nightmare. Green and red blood mixed together. It was a gruelling battle. Emily looked at the sword in her hands, the Life Sword C Lucen. It was still a bit too large for Emily, who was yet to grow into an adult. Even so, the anticipation and affection in the girls eyes as she looked at the sword that had been passed down to her, were no different from any other knight. Bruns. What do you think? Well the battle seems quite even, doesnt it? No. At first glance, it mightve seemed that way, but the battlefield was steadily starting to favour the orcs. I feel like the orcs have staked their lives on this battle. For sure This mightve been because the procurement of military supplies, including rations, hadnt gone smoothly. Its because Callius took half the earth dragons carrying their supplies down with him. In the end, only about half of the supply convoy wouldve reached the orcs, so theyd probably decided that it was not enough. So, unlike before, the orcs were desperately trying to break through the gates of Jevarsch by mobilizing everything this time. All the beasts had been unleashed, and the orcs fought at the front to breach the gates. orc corpses had piled up like a mountain, but it was as if they didnt mind stepping over a tower made of the corpses of their own brethren if thats what it took to break through. It looked crazy, but at the same time, it was devastating. It was only a matter of time before the gates would be breached. What will you do, miss? Callius disappeared, and his detachment was virtually disbanded. The knights had thoroughly split, with Emily and Rivan as the main axes. Both of them were young and lacking in skills, but considering the future, there was one calculation that Rivans future would be brighter than Emily, a woman. Bruns. Allen, Aaron. Yes, miss. I understand! I, Aaron, will open a path right away! If we can safely move the munitions No, we wont move the munitions. Yes? It doesnt matter anymore. This battle will determine whether the castle will be captured or not. The munitions dont mean anything if thats the case. To live, or to die. That was the problem now. What use would all these supplies be if the castle fell? Then I am a Jervain. Jervain does not abandon the North. Emily raised her sword. A beautiful sword, shining in the sunlight. Take the North away, and Jervain will no longer be Jervain. Even if I die, as a Jervain I have to die on the battlefield. Miss Allen and Aaron looked at Emily as if theyd been deeply moved. Bruns was no different. There were fat teardrops hanging from Bruns eyes. Hehehe! It would have been nice if master could see this! At that time, when she was about to shake her head C Emily. Rivan appeared in front of Emily with the knights behind him. Rivan, Rinney. Emilys eyes narrowed. Here in the North, Jervain wouldnt fall as easily as you think. Its foolish for us to intervene now. Its wiser to wait a little bit more and pick up the munitions. It wont make much difference if you or I rush into the battlefield. You idiot. What, what!? You, cheeky! Rivans face turned an angry red as he drew his sword from his waist. Listen to me! Even if you go now, youll just die a dogs death! Then what about the deaths of those who are fighting and dying even now? Well, thats a noble sacrifice. No, youre wrong. Theyre not sacrificing themselves. Theyre just hoping. Hoping for victory. Hoping that even if you die, your family wont have to die if you win this war. Theyre fighting with that little handful of hope. That if I protect the North, I will protect the country, and if I protect the country, I will protect my family. Its not up to you to decide whether my death is a dogs death or not. Only I can decide the value of my own demise. Damn!! Will your death be worth it if I cut your head off right now!? Dont worry, I wont die by your hand. This cheeky bitch! Rivans sword reached towards Emily. It was just to scare her, but it was enough to hurt. Miss! Kaang! But sooner than that, Emilys sword was pulled out like lightning. Whirlik, whooosh. Rivan, who had missed the strike, widened his eyes as if hed gotten a big shock. You While you were not doing anything. Ive been on the battlefield with them. Bull! Bullshit! If you die! If you die, its all over! It looks like the castle will soon fall, but are you still saying that nonsense? Je-, in Jevarsch, father and the lord are both there! No matter how much power might be lost, the castle will never fall as long we have the lord, whos one step into the rank of Masters! Emily looked at Rivan with a pitying look. You dont know? What do you mean? Among the orcs, there is somebody who can fight the lord on even ground. How could that be? Nonsense! Dont be ridiculous! Its true. The patriarch hasnt participated in the war until now. Why do you think that is? That The Supreme Ruler of the North. Count of Carpe. Lord of Jervain. Elburton von Jervain had been on the lookout for his opponent. If he participated in the battle, the other would also appear among the orc army. PpuuuuuuC! Once again, the trumpet blew, silencing the screams on the battlefield. Thump, thump. An orc, wearing a helmet made of goat horns and holding a huge axe in his hands, moved. With heavy eyes that suited his huge stature, he scanned the battlefield. Looking at the castle gates thatd been half-broken with a siege weapon, he reversed his axe and chopped down. Kuung!! As the soldiers faltered at the trembling of the earth C Beyond the broken gates, the Lord of Jervains calm gaze turned towards him. Is it time? C-, Count Lord The Lord of Jevarsch and the Supreme Ruler of the North, strode forward. Elburton von Jervain walked out slowly, his black cloak fluttered in the wind behind him. C-, Count! Its dangerous! Regardless of the knights persuasions, he drew the sword at his waist. Cheok. Immediately, the great gates in front of him cracked even further. Kugugung! They collapsed. Ugh! Lord!! As the gates fell, the orcs rushed in. The soldiers were startled, but Elburtons sword was faster. Sreung. With the sound of a chill wind, the bodies of the orcs were split into pieces. There was not a single drop of blood on his sword. The aura Elburton emitted slowly overwhelmed the surroundings like dense fog. As the atmosphere changed, the footsteps of the orcs, who had been screaming with excitement, came to a halt. Lets go together. Elburton advanced, his protector knights following him slowly pouring through the gates. As the Master of the North moved, the orcs faltered and backtracked before him, the green sea splitting like the miracle of Moses. At the end of his path, as if waiting for him, the general of the orc army stood with his hands crossed over his double-edged axe. Orc king. Orc warchief. Or a being who could be called the orc overlord. His surging aura, that showed signs of stepping into the rank of Masters, weighed down on the battlefield. Behind the orc warchief stood several great warriors, escorting him. Huuung. The wind churned once. As the snowflakes fell to the ground, the forms of the great warriors and the protector knights disappeared. Kaang! Kwang! Crashing noises resounded from their battle. But as if they didnt care a whit about such a fierce battle, Elburton and the warchief only kept staring at each other. Amidst the flood of blows exchanged between the great warriors and the protector knights C At the centre of the storm raging on the battlefield, Elburton and the warchiefs footsteps slowly began approaching each other. At a pace that was neither slow nor fast. Still, step by step they treaded the ground, each footstep emanating an aura of doom. Tas, tas, tas. The speed at which they approached each other got faster and faster, until their forms disappeared and met each other. Kwaaaaang!! The axe and the sword met with an impossible roar. A single sword to take a life. Each strike of the warchiefs double-edged axe was an avalanche. Each strike from Elburton, wielding the Storm Sword Callis, was a typhoon. The true war had just begun. Kuhk! Aaron and Allen stood back-to-back and swung their swords. Dodge the axe strike of an oncoming orc, and draw your sword again. After breaking the bone and cutting off an arm of your enemy, catch a heavy breath. Not just them. Orphin and Emily. Rivan and Rinney, too, were continuously wielding their swords on the battlefield. They were little boys and girls, but on the battlefield, there were only enemies and allies. The cruelty of the battlefield recognized them as knights, and the orcs axes were not kind enough to discriminate between the young and the old. Three days had passed like this. The war had continued for three days without pause. Since the battle between the orc warchief and the count started, they had been wielding their swords in this battlefield without surcease. That was then C An orcish axe struck Emily blindly in the side. Ouch. She couldnt react in time because shed been catching her breath. When she was raising her arm, the axe was already in front of her. When she clenched her teeth and closed her eyes C Chaeeng! Are you alright? Grandfather!! Bernard appeared. Bernard, the Blue Thunderbolt. He immediately emanated blue lightning from his sword and slammed it down on the ground, clearing out the surroundings. Kwaaang!! Mud scattered and the orcs were thrown away by the shock. Are you okay, grandpa? Im fine, dont worry. But where did Callius go? Callius As Emilys face darkened rapidly, Bernards complexion grew serious. But without giving them any time, the war situation headed for the worst. C Uooooooooh!! Suddenly cheers broke out like a wave within the orc ranks. As he looked towards Elburtons position, Bernards eyelids fluttered wide. The count!! Spurt!! The Supreme Ruler of the North, who had been fighting a close battle against the orc warchief for three days C Elburton, could be seen falling, blood gushing from his chest. Editors Notes: [1] ????, human wave/human sea is an offensive infantry tactic. See Wikipedia. Since these are orcs, infantry wave is being used. As the name suggests, its a tactic that overwhelms the enemy with numbers, throws enemy formations into chaos, then leverages numerical superiority in melee combat. Chapter 53 The count!! Bring the count!! Come on, lord!! The protector knights and Bernard rushed in and tried to drag Elburton back into the castle. The long gash running from his left clavicle to the right waist looked quite serious. Red blood gushed out more and more. It was a mortal wound. The Supreme Ruler of the North had been defeated. By the king of the barbarians!! Hurry!! He has to live! At any cost!! Fortunately, he didnt suffer completely in vain. The orc overlord had also had an eye gouged out and an ear cut off, but that wasnt enough. Stop him! Stop him!! The roars of the warlord, who as if had sensed his own victory, raised the momentum of the orc army to the uttermost. The three protector knights blocked the orc generals axe, and in the meantime, Bernards thunderstorm ravaged the surroundings. Kwaaang!! However, it wasnt easy to change the course of the battle that had already tilted in favour of the orcs. This is a big deal. The patriarchs defeat was too great. As he held Elburton, Bernards complexion sank as if covered by dark clouds. Elburtons defeat was also the Norths defeat. It could be seen as the defeat of every single knight on the battlefield. Aaaaaah!! Puff!! The patriarchs guards, who had abilities close to paladins, were falling down one by one. Elburton lost consciousness, but what about the orc general who had also lost his eye and ear? As if nothing had happened, he was still rushing in, seeking to finish off the battle. Great warriors and orc troops rushed ahead of him and all around. The Northern Army was helplessly collapsing facing the orcs swarming like locusts, and their corpses were being trampled on. Is this the end? Their hearts were filled with mourning. Orcs flocked towards them like angry bees, throwing and swinging their axes with abandon as if to make up for their earlier setbacks. Protect the lord!! Protect the count! Damn it!! Dont stop gahk! Chaeeng! Kwaaang! Both knights and regular soldiers didnt hesitate to sacrifice themselves to protect Elburton. However, no one could stop the advance of the orc warlord coming to take Elburtons head. Even Bernard himself didnt have the confidence to stop that orcs momentum. It was the Norths complete defeat. Callius, Emily Bernards Lightning Sword cut through the air as he retreated holding Elburton. Beheading one orc. Cleaving through anothers shoulder. Scattering blue sparks that froze enemies in their tracks, compressing and condensing the divine power inside Bernards body to erupt with a huge thunderbolt. !! Kurreung kwaang!! But that blue lightning was soon broken through by a double-edged axe soaring high into the sky. An axe clutched in the hands of the half-deaf, half-blind orc warlord. He couldnt stop it. Bernard sensed his own death approaching. Behind the image of the warlord whod jumped high into the air, the red sunset sky spread out as the backdrop. What is that? A bird? As the end brushed close, a black bird over the red sunset was reflected in his eyes. A flying bird flapping its huge wings was approaching the centre of the battlefield, grabbing something in its claws. Wait a minute! It wasnt a bird. It was a person. Holding a large sword in one hand C He swooped down, gray eyes shining. Huge wings folded, and a red cloak flapped as if melting into the red light of dusk. The man fell to earth like a red comet, blocking the warlords path. Kung!! Kah, kh! Emotions were surging inside Bernards mind. Inside the rising cloud of dust, someones faint trace could be seen, slowly raising their head. Callius! Black hair. Gray eyes. He, who Bernard had never thought would be able to come here, stood blocking the path of the enemy. However, worries soon arose. Callius! Run away!! Words shouted out because of the unrestrainable surge of emotions. However, without even pretending to listen, the man took advantage of a gap and blocked the warlords axe. No! A blow that even the counts sword hadnt been able to parry away. There was no way Callius could stop it. In Bernards eyes, as if the form of Callius being bisected was being reflected. Kaaaaaaang! Dust billowed out. The air rippled with shock, and shattered fragments of sword energies flew everywhere. He blocked it no, how! Excitement and dismay warred in Bernards mind. Callius completely blocked the axe of the overlord with his gray-white sword. Impossible! But such a miracle actually happened. Ah Elburton, whod lost consciousness for a while, exhaled softly. Still in Bernards arms, he saw the scene of a dark-haired man with a fluttering red cloak and surrounded by silver petals. His only son. Callius. The image of Callius back, as he blocked the advance of the warboss, was reflected in Elburtons blurry and unfocused eyes. When did your back get so broad? With such a thought, Elburton again closed his eyes, as if for the last time. Callius?! Its Callius! Callius! Master!! I believed in you!! Callius! Youre alive! Callius I believed in you, Callius! Overwhelming emotions lifted up the bodies that had been in the process of collapse. How, was a question in everyones mind, but in the end that didnt matter. In the end, Callius had appeared. And those whod been spending their lives just to block the warlords advance, raised their heads once again. Ahhhhhhhhhh!! Kkah! Kwaaang! The warlords axe soared high into the sky. Truly it was some tremendous power. No matter how strong the warlord was, he fell short facing the brute force of a troll. Callius, whod slipped through the gap of an instant, blew away the enemys axe with pure force. I dont have time. Even if he squeezed out all his divine power, Spirit Descent could at most be activated for one more minute. Although it had that kind of power, the sword had such a great demerit. However, on this battlefield of today, a single sword wielding with the power of a troll C Was enough, for now. Seok. The sword energy fragments transformed into the petals of Silver Flower Wave Sword. The petals scattered all over the place, blowing with an invisible wind emitted from Callius. Swirling like a whirlpool. Silver Flower Wave Sword art, that strikes its enemies like raging waves. Raging Flower Wave. The Strong Sword struck at the warlord and the orcs. Chwaaaak! Chwaaaak! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! The might of a troll, expressed through Raging Flower Wave, was nothing less than a storm. The orc warlord, who had been defeated in pure strength, couldnt handle the attacks that raged like fire and backed away. As the warlord retreated with deep wounds all over his body, the rising momentum of the orcs began to falter, and neither Callius nor the Northern Army missed it. PpuuuuuuuuuC!! Emilys horn signalled an attack. The Northern Army was not unaware of the change in the flow of battle caused by the warlords retreat. A small wind that had been created by Callius C Would soon intensify into a storm. Turn around!! Charge! Kill! Kill those bastards!! Master Callius is back!! The warlord has lost his axe!! Right now! You bastards! Hit and kill even just one more!! As if the patriarchs defeat had already been completely forgotten, the battlefield churned with the screams of rushing soldiers. Everything was moving forward again. In the meantime, Callius found Bruns and passed the holy water to Bernard. Callius, how are you For now, lets start with the first thing we need to do. Yeah, yes. Bernard sprinkled half the holy water on Elburtons body and poured the rest into his mouth. This alone should be enough to save his life. Although it was a pity about the holy water, Elburtons death here could not be permitted. If he died, the quest would be a failure. Therefore C Things are pretty bad over there. Him pushing the overlord back in battle had boosted the troops morale, but Elburton couldnt fight anymore. If the warlord put things back in order and rushed in again, Bernard and Callius alone would not be able to stop him. If that happened, the defenders would eventually be annihilated and the quest would fail. There was no escape. Callius Elburtons voice called out to him. Various emotions rose to the surface of his psyche at that voice. Resentment, anger, sadness, pity, and others. Not his feelings. But feelings that came from the original Callius. Everybody has to lie down one day. Ukgh. Elburton spewed some blood as he tightly clasped Calliuss arm. He will help you like hes helped me. Even if he isnt bound to you so please. Callius C Watch your back. Saying so, Elburton handed over his sword. Elburtons beloved sword. Calliuss eyes widened a little as he held it. The character of Elburton that he had set, wouldnt have handed this sword to anyone until the moment of his death. Do you know? What do you mean? You were named after our family heirloom. I named you after the Storm Sword, Callis. Hed never written a setting like this. However, there was an unquestionable sincerity in the eyes of the man who gave him the sword. Seeing Elburton passing the Storm Sword C Callis to his hands, tears suddenly sprang up in his eyes. He clenched his trembling fists and put Elburtons bloody hands down. He raised his head, leaving behind the affectionate eyes he had never received before in his life. It was a feeling that was not his. But now it was his. A voice with no strength but full of certainty could be heard behind his back as he rose. Go. Callius. Create a storm. [Storm Sword C Callis] Grade C Vision Sword. Infused Soul C Callis von Jervain. Unique Ability C Storm. Elburtons hand, pushing his back, did not have its usual strength. Wiping away the tears that were flowing for no reason C Callius von Jervain raised the Storm Sword up. Holding the Strong Sword in one hand C Holding the Storm Sword in the other, he strode towards the frontline of the battlefield. However, only dregs of divine power remained in is body. He took off the bracelet. Click. The divine power stored in Vivis Bracelet filled his entire body as it was unlocked. Starting from the strands of his hair, silver light bloomed all over his form. ??????!! Perish!! The orcs were swarming again. The knights and soldiers were again falling into a stalemate. But the warlord, who had retreated earlier, once again began to advance. The orc army begins to surge like a rising tide as if their courage had suddenly grown by a hundredfold. Like a swarm of ants they came, like a tidal wave that aimed only to wipe the humans out. Towards that frontline. Without hesitation, Callius marched forward. Kwaaang!! An orc that ran at him C The Strong Sword split him into two. A simple slam cracked the ground and sowed chaos among the rushing waves of enemies. And immediately swinging the Storm Sword in his left hand, he swept them all away. Kwagagagagaga!! A simple slash. It contained a storm, a fierce gale that blew like a typhoon. Holding Storm Sword C Callis, Callius unleashed swift sword strikes, and the swirling winds ripped his enemies apart. Chwaaaak! The Storm Sword, enveloped in a raging gale, sought out orc hearts. It made no distinction between normal orc warriors or great ones. Nothing could block the way of the might of a troll combined with the power of the storm. Storm Sword C Callis. Again, it was a magnificent sword. It could create a storm with a single swing, and the sword itself was wrapped with a vortex of fierce winds, crushing anything it touched. A sword that was well-suited for the Silver Flower Wave Sword art. However, the real power of the vision sword was not limited to just this. Swirl. HuuuuungC! A brutal wind swept across the battlefield. As Callius pulled the flow of the wind towards himself, a storm was created in an instant. Uh, suddenly the wind no, what the hell is this, a typhoon?! The wind raged across the battlefield. At its centre was Callius. Holding the Storm Sword high. The true power of a vision sword depends on whether it can build a domain or not. The raging storm that resembled a tornado enveloped the battlefield like a barrier. This was a domain, signifying a vision sword. As soon as the storm started to rage, the orc general and the great warriors stared at it with fierce eyes. They could also sense it. The flow of the battle was changing. If they couldnt win now, they would be defeated in this battle. ????????? ??? ???????!! Offer your blood as sacrifice!! Their fierce fighting spirit began to resonate on the battlefield. As a result, the knights flinched back, and the orcs only roared with more momentum. A cry of struggle. At the forefront, Callius condensed his divine power. Even after taking in the energy stored in Vivis Bracelet, he could feel his divine power rapidly disappearing. There was no time. I have to do this. A body that felt heavy from non-stop battles. Hands that had started to tremble due to the prolonged use of divine power. He ignored it all, and poured divine power into the Storm Sword with a manic grin. The Storm Sword spat out a roaring gale. Stabbing it onto the ground, he declared C Let this battlefield be my sanctuary. The strong wind from his sword begins to surround them. Wow! Master Callius?! The wind pushed the knights away at first. But eventually, the it did not merely push away anyone who touched it, but tore apart those who came close. Orcs were torn apart without even knowing how or why inside the sanctuary created by Callius. The swirling storm engulfed them all. In an instant, hundreds of orcs were torn apart in the sanctuary. This was the true vision sword. The proper way to use the Storm Sword C Callis. The screams of the orcs echoed within the sanctuary. But the centre was still. The wind did not affect its master at all, and Callius was the master of this wind. C Krrrrr. Apart from him, there was only a single orc warlord, growling. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 54 Sanctuary Construction. A space that is your own domain. That is a knights sanctuary. A divine state that can only be created by a warrior with a high level of skill and equipped with an appropriate weapon. The ability to dominate a certain area as ones own, maximizing the weapons potential. Originally, it was an ability that can only be used by those who have entered the ranks of Masters, a realm impossible for Callius to have reached. However, Storm Sword C Callis allowed even that Callius to build a sanctuary. Because Ive inherited the blood of Jervain. A sword made from the body of his ancestor. A sword imbued with the faith originators to remain as a sword even after his passing and protect the North. Storm Sword C Callis. A vision sword specialized in building a sanctuary, one that can unlock all potential abilities belonging to a Jervain, and the means to protect the northern lands. A sword for the North, and for Jervain. That, is Callis. Its a powerful sword even if you only consider its ability to control the winds, but its true power is revealed when the sanctuary unfolds. No one can leave the sanctuary created by the storm. Thats what sanctuary means. Even with a vision sword of the same rank, itd be difficult to destroy the sanctuary. Because the Storm Sword is specialized in building sanctuaries in the first place. Those who hold Callis in the eye of the storm receive the protection of the winds. The northern winds are cold and sharp, but if you hold Callis, those very winds shall be your limbs and your armour. Are you afraid? ?? ???????! I will kill you! The only response to Callius question was a promise of his demise. With one question and one answer, the still centre of the storm again subsided to silence. However, even as the two conversed, the swirling Sanctuary of the Storm was building an ocean of trials and tribulations. The northern lands were being stained with green blood more and more. The warlord looked at Callius, standing on that blood, with a serious and troubled gaze. Tas. He ran. Uncaring about the cuts all over his body and the freely flowing blood. While Callius struck out with his own sword to counter it C Red. In an instant, the ground at his feet blazed red. A shiver ran down his spine for an instant. There was no one within his senses, no presence, but thats why he tried to escape even more urgently. At that moment, taduk! Some iron swords strewn at his feet came alive, turning into tentacles and attacking! Damn it. But within the Sanctuary of the Storm, the winds were on his side. The north wind enveloped him. Wings sprouted behind Callius back. The whirlpools that gathered at his back in an instant unfurled like wings, loosening the hold of gravity on his being. Kugugu! Dozens of animate hands of stone rose from the ground, trying to catch Callius as he evaded the strange tentacles. Callius eyes narrowed. The orcs who worshipped the God of the Axe, had no weapon capable of achieving such natural harmony. Even the warlord, their leader, could not have received such favour from the Axe God. His axe only conferred body strengthening. So this was not something he did. Elburton said this. Watch your back. Originally, Elburton wasnt powerless enough to be easily defeated by the warlord. As per his setting, Elbutton should have actually been stronger. It was strange that he lost so miserably despite that. It seemed that a cowardly rat had meddled in their fight. Callius was convinced as he observed the magic attacking him. Ramatu of Krasion. The forgotten God, God of the Cane. His last believer. Ramatu, he was behind this warlord. Yeah, you were in Krasion too. Callius lifted the Storm Sword into the air and infused it with divine power. Hwiiiiing!! Carried by the swirling winds, the power of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art flowed into the storm. A huge vortex was contained within Callius sword. He swung once. Kwaaaaaa!! And unleashed a billowing storm. Buoyed with the might of Spirit Descent, the storm surged like a typhoon. Fierce gales, arising from a single swing. Kwadadaang! Kwaaang! The violent edge of the hurricane shattered all the rock hands that had been summoned by Ramatu. Damn. However, the mighty axe of the orc warlord slipped through the crushed and scattered rocks, and struck. Damn! KuuuungC! Callius received the blow with the Strong Sword. Despite possessing the might of a troll, the warlord was contesting him with comparable strength. Kwang! Kwaaang! Chaeeng! Kwagagagagak!! The air rippled with the shock of their clash, and colourful sparks fluttered. Puk! Nnnn. The scattered stone fragments created a momentary gap in Callius defense. It wasnt an attack that inflicted serious damage, but it did create a small gap. But the warlords axe would never miss a gap like this. Kwaaang! The warlords axe pounded on the floor. Ramatus tentacles wriggled out from the cracks that spread from the point of impact like a spiders web. Callius used the winds around him to block the tentacles. But he couldnt avoid the warlords foot that followed on their heels. Puk! He was struck in the chest. With enough power to crack the breastbone. Hey. Callius spat out some bloody phlegm and wiped the blood from his lips. Ha Didnt they intend to hide anymore? Dozens of tentacles were fluttering next to the orc commander holding his axe. Honourless bastard. It was a bitter criticism, but the warlord didnt care. He rushed in again and swung his axe. The tattoos engraved all over his body emitted a soft glow. It seemed that the more he fought, the stronger he became. In stark contrast, Callius sword was getting lighter and lighter. Am I slowing down? Even without Ramatus intervention, Callius could feel the gap between him and his primary opponent. In power. In speed. In skill. In instantaneous judgment. He fell short in every aspect. Despite being gifted with a trolls might by the Strong Sword, and the winds swiftness from the Storm Sword. His weaknesses lay exposed before a superior opponent. You can dominate with pure strength and speed if you hold a great advantage in those aspects. However, if your opponent has much better combat sense to compensate, and enough power to counter you, you cant resist without having the skills. In addition, Ramatus tentacles attacked immediately whenever there was the slightest gap, so Callius couldnt see any hope of victory. Itd be difficult to get through this with only the power of this sword. Callius did have a vision sword, but he was alone, and the warlord and Ramatu were two. Moreover, there was a clear skill gap between Callius and the orc warlord. Slowly, he was starting to feel it. This was a fight of skills. Competing with skill and technique, they couldnt help but judge each others abilities. Therefore, Callius had no choice but to feel the gap in his bones. His swordsmanship, wielding the Strong Sword and the Storm Sword, was flexible and ever-changing, but the warlords axe was honest and straightforward. Quick, and heavy. He struck swiftly when he pleased, and otherwise simply changed to a heavy block to intercept and destroy the opponents attacks. On the surface, he seemed to have the upper hand, but in reality, he was doing no damage. There was only the first attack allowed by Callius lapse in vigilance. He had made no subsequent attacks. But as a result, it was Callius, not the warlord, whose situation became urgent. The Strong Sword and the Storm Sword consumed divine power to the extent that he couldnt hold on even after loosening Vivis Bracelet. Chwak, chwaaak. Gradually, scratches begin to show on Callius body. Although he had the trolls regenerative power from the Strong Sword, it also increased the burden he had to bear. Kwaaang! The warlords axe collided with him mid-air, making Callius fall towards the ground. The relic of the Vira tribe unfurled just in time. [Leteti]s wings spread. Chwaaaak! Letetis wings and the wind from the Storm Sword buffeted his form. Puhak! Even so, he couldnt help but spew out blood. His head felt dizzy, and his bones were throbbing all over. Cough! Gradually, the power of the Strong Sword was disappearing. Damn bastards. Seeing Callius vomit blood, the warlords lips rose at the corners. Stop laughing, you monster. Suddenly, the warlords eyebrows rose. He looked at the ground and the sky in surprise, and pulled the giant axe closer towards him. Numerous silver petals were flying in the air. First Martial Skill C Raging Flower Wave. Beneath the ground, indescribably huge sword marks were spreading fast. Second Martial Skill C White Haze. The scale of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art was different this time, because of the Strong Sword and the Storm Sword. This isnt going to work. Callius understood that from their clashes so far. Raging Flower Wave and White Haze were not enough. A swarm of swords rose up from beneath the earth, and a deluge of petals headed towards the warlord like raging waves of disaster. However, as expected, he merely took a defensive stance with his axe held close. But both Raging Flower Wave and White Haze are just fakes. Just to create a gap of an instant. Its going to hurt a bit. The third skill of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art. Swirl and strike, Raging Flower Wave. A White Haze rose, blooming. This technique of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art was possible only by combining the two of them together. The petals danced between the shadows of the swords. Callius stepped off the ground and charged at his opponent. Melting both skills into his sword. Raging Flower Wave is a great skill that takes both yours and the opponents sword energy fragments and drives them forward like waves upon the sea. And it is a secret technique where different and vast energies can be plugged in to. But since theres the Storm Sword, the power of the wind will suffice, and it will allow you to unleash a degree of might that would normally be impossible. Take the Strong Sword and the Storm Sword both. Fix the technique with the Tricolour Eye. Concentrate. Even the subtlest difference is tinted in hues of gold, blue and red. Complete the sword art with the help of the Tricolour Eye. Make up for your lacking technique with your trait. Make up for your lacking power with Spirit Descent. Make up for your lacking reach with the winds and the storm. And create a single sword that can pierce everything in an instant. Putting your all into a single strike. The fluttering petals gathered together; the furious waves condensing around Callius sword, emitting a dazzling light. The White Haze sword art that swum beneath their feet C Pierced into that gap. It was strange. Raging Flower Wave, and White Haze. Started to meld together. Into a single sting that spanned a fleeting moment. Paaaaaah! A stab like a flash of light, seeking the warlords heart. The generals face changed completely, as if he felt an eerie premonition. The moment he lifted the axe hed held close to his body and tried to roll sideways C Chwaaaak! It brushed the orcs forearm. ???What? He was confused. And then he laughed. No matter how great an attack might be, its useless if it doesnt hit. Contrary to his earlier nervousness, the general now burst into laughter since he only suffered some insignificant damage. Callius, who was still in a stabbing posture, his body covered with cold sweat, responded with a single phrase. Other Shore Flower. That was then C The warlords wound, a mere scratch, suddenly opened wide. Jjeoeog. As if exploding. Kkaaaaaaah!! The scream had the undertone of a question, which soon turned into fear. Hed obviously avoided it. It was just a small scratch. So why did his arm explode! The general, who had lost his right arm, knelt down and groaned in pain. Success. The third skill of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art. Other Shore Flower. A single strike that bridges the gap between the Raging Flower Wave and the White Haze. In an instant, the petals of Raging Flower Wave and the sword aura of White Haze mix together, and birth a strike with incredible speed. However, that single sword strike mixes two disparate techniques together. The opponent who receives even a small attack will take fatal damage from the resulting explosion. It is said that small fragments of sword energy that penetrate the opponents body explode and bloom like flowers made from his blood. Nnnnn. However, Callius, whod just used the Other Shore Flower, didnt look normal either. Cold sweat was forming all over his body, and he kept vomiting blood as if his blood flow had reversed. Because hed forcefully unfolded the sword art, the divine blood in his body had been twisted. Already, his divine blood had been damaged a lot by overdrawing the large amount of divine power stored in the bracelet, but it seemed that using Other Shore Flower on top of that had caused an internal injury. Still, I need to finish this! He hadnt managed to cut off the warlords breath. Hed managed to blow off an arm, but the orc was still alive. Callius would rather have blown his head off with it. Gahk! His back bent, Callius was still spewing blood from the mouth. The light from the Storm Sword, which had absorbed Callius divine power to the limit, was beginning to dim. Hwiiing. At the same time, since all his divine power had been consumed, the Sanctuary of the Storm was also dissipating. Ramatus tentacles struck at Callius from the side, who was kneeling down on one knee. Damn! Callius raised the Storm Sword C Callis with all his strength. His divine power had already run out. Spirit Descent had also been released, and the trolls might and regenerative power had long since disappeared. Chaeeng! Having managed to block the tentacles, Callius vomited blood and staggered upright once more. Then a dark shadow fell upon him. It was the orc warlord. His face incandescent with anger, he approached Callius, his remaining arm holding the axe. It was too late to pull up the Storm Sword again to block him. Callius raised the Strong Sword. However. Chwaaaak! His sword, broke. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 55 Chwaaak! The axe cut through his chest. Carving out a deep wound. The long gash stretched from his shoulder to the navel. The breastbone was clearly exposed, along with pale pink internal organs. Red blood spurted into the air. I got careless. He could only curse his own complacency. There was regret. If only hed used Other Shore Flower properly. If itd been a little more perfect, this wouldnt have happened. But regrets are always late, and missed opportunities never come back. Can I live? Impossible. He wont be able to survive. His wounds were deeper than even Elburtons. Besides, the orc warlord in front of him didnt seem satisfied with a single attack. The axe, that had already tasted his blood, fell again. It was all over C Death Verse Composition activates. Enlightenment that comes from being at the very precipice of death. It ruled over every fibre of his body. But this time it was of no use. Even if you feel enlightenment C Divine Power C 0/6251 Your consumed divine power would not come back. No matter how strong a Pilgrim may be, if he doesnt have divine power, hes nothing more than a seasoned knight. Even if he has a vision sword, its just a waste, like a pearl necklace on a pigs neck. Hes coming. But unlike the brain that calculated the outcome C His body creaked again, and he raised his sword. The movement was instinctive. Hed only been holding a sword for a mere three years. But hed practiced swinging it like his life depended on it. Teetering at the edge between life and oblivion, overcoming certain death time and again, grinding and polishing his unsightly talent inch by painstaking inch. Ill just die like this. However, contrary to what he thought in his heart, slowly, sluggishly, his sword rose. Callius no!! On the battlefield, setting everything aside, Emily shouted and ran. There was no disputing that Callius was in very condition. The way he still raised his sword made him look like someone out of an epic tale of a hero, but he would still die if it continued like this. Really, die. No! The orcs blocked Emily as she tried to force divine power into her legs and run. She rolled between their legs. Dodged by the side. Late! Late. It was obvious that Callius sword would once again be broken in two. Uh? However, the situation turned out completely different from the girls expectations. The warlords axe was cleanly parried by Callius! The sound of the weapons clashing was so faint that Emily could hardly hear it. She wondered if the orc general, whod been attacking with a natural rhythm like flowing water, mightve just paused attacking for a moment. But seeing the surprised expression on the warlords face, it wasnt intentional. Callius! Callius staggered as if he had no strength left in his body. The orc general also felt it strange, so he raised his axe and attacked again. Although he only had one remaining arm, it was still a powerful blow. But C Oddly enough, Callius dodged his axe again with only a slight movement. One step. By only moving one step at a time, he was completely dodging the warlords axe blows. At the same time, he gently lifted the Storm Sword as if he might drop it any moment, and drained their destructive power. Forgetting that shed been coming to his rescue, Emily watched Callius movements as if possessed. While resisting the attacks of the orcs who rushed at her one by one. As if fascinated, Emilys eyes engraved every single aspect of Callius movements into her mind. The fingers resting on the sword. The joints moving. She didnt miss a single inch of it all. Ah. It was a strange feeling. And yet, familiar. Death Verse Composition. Realization brought by the characteristic. Action arising from the awakened five senses. The senses, blurred. But the mind, rather clear. Callius felt the warlords attacks even though he couldnt see them. How did I do that? He didnt remember. He tried to analyze, but in vain. His eyes turned towards the sword he was holding. But his body still avoided the warlords axe. He couldnt counterattack. He didnt have the power necessary. So he evaded and let it go. No need to think. You just have to feel it. He couldnt even feel himself holding the sword or putting strength into his hands, but the aura of his opponent resonated clearly through his being. A hair-raising sense of momentum. Sharply stinging on his skin. Maybe that bastard would be the one to survive. Im feeling alive. Why is that? Is it because of the characteristic of Death Verse Composition? Is it because of the awakened senses? He worried a bit, but couldnt come up with an answer. Now that I think about it, I got too dependent on the three colours. The Tricolour Eye is a very convenient characteristic. It detects danger and selects the right course. But because of that, hed had little opportunity to train his danger sense in battle. After reaching the North, even more so. I did something stupid. Callius raised his head. Without activating the characteristic. His eyes, weary of seeing nothing but red until now, were slowly finding their own hues. Maybe because Im not putting any power into them, it feels more comfortable. Dont counterattack, just avoid. Move a step, make a turn, break away along the axes edge. The warlord was startled again when Callius, despite looking so feeble, shook off his attack, but he quickly calmed himself. But he was one step late. Bastard!![1] An old man wreathed in blue lightning C Bernard, had reached his side. Pajijijik! Kwang! Drink it, Callius! Kuhk!! Kuung-uungC!! The Blue Thunderbolt Sword blocked the generals axe. However, it didnt look like itd last long. Within that brief moment respite that Bernard had earned C Callius fumbled, took out the last remaining vial of holy water, drank it, and sprinkled it over his wounds. His vitality slowly began to refill. The consumed divine power also slowly began to replenish itself. The bleeding stopped, and the wounds started healing. But glacially slow. Because the injuries he had suffered were quite heavy. Callius threw down the snapped in two Strong Sword, and clasped the Storm Sword with both hands. Once more. With this moment of enlightenment C If you strike once more C He thought that a more perfect Other Shore Flower might bloom on this battlefield. I dont need Tricolour Eye. He didnt require the assistance of the three colours for this battle. Hed been depending on it too much. Rather, he needed to feel it. With Death Verse Composition activated, hed be able to feel it more accurately. I dont need to use Raging Flower Wave. He didnt need to ignite a White Haze, either. It was possible now. It seemed possible to coalesce them all into one sword strike even without unfolding the skills in advance. No, it was definitely possible right now. I can do this. The gray eyes gleamed. Hed always unfolded Raging Flower Wave and White Haze beforehand to aid in the intricate operations of this skill. But now he didnt need that kind of help. He was confident in fully capturing the truths of Raging Flower Wave and White Haze within a single sword. One foot forward. The shoulder of the main arm holding the sword pulling back. The sword rising high overhead. Callius struck. The sword blade, like the scales of a dragon, became stronger and transformed. The surface of the blade becoming smoother, the rigidity multiplying, and unifying. Not a single drop of divine power overflowed. But the scattered divine power all around it changed with the sword. Transforming sword qi into a tangible shape[2], and accepting the truth of the Other Shore Flower. What the hell is that? Ramatu of Krasion. He looked at the battlefield with a stiff expression on his face. Itd been a long time since the walls had broken, but the human knights were still fighting. The orcs, who should have never hesitated to charge ahead, were faltering. But thats not all. The orc warlord, who had even defeated the Supreme Ruler of the North, was kneeling down with one knee, missing an arm. A sight hed never expected to see. The wall should have been broken long ago. The orcs should have already been roaring victoriously, standing over the corpses of their enemies. Did one single idiot overturn the battlefield? The cause was simple. The Pilgrim in his front. One Callius von Jervain, messed everything up. This old man is amazed. The man was almost a corpse. Most of his divine power had been exhausted, and the wounds the warlord had inflicted on him were still spitting out blood. A dreadful yet precarious figure that looked like itd collapse with a single hit. Damn it. Hes a nuisance. Ramatu did not stand still. Having lived for a long time, he had a clear insight into Callius condition. Sudden enlightenment. Realization. Some sort of awakening. If one survives being in such a state, he will definitely become stronger. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Becoming stronger by turning a crisis into an opportunity, through enlightenment in battle, was the stuff of legends. Ramatus eyebrows furrowed. His old and sick body, on which the passage of time had carved out deep wrinkles, made him jealous of the possibilities of a young man. But more than that, the attack he was germinating didnt look average. Other Shore Flower To think Ill see that swordsmanship again in my lifetime. The chances of him surviving were already very slim. But what had to be done, should be done cleanly. Ramatu raised his staff. As soon as it hit the ground, a small shockwave spread. I cant just leave things be. Awls made of rock protruded from the ground at Callius feet and aimed at him. A young flower yet unbloomed, nipped in the bud. Words that carried regret and remorse. Callius!! A small child ran. The child, nothing more than a small sprout, flew through the battlefield to the side of that bloody almost-corpse. She put aside her sword, which she treated no differently than her own life, and tried to save Callius. Master Callius!! Avoid it! Not just her. The boy who wore an eyepatch, and the priest with blue hair. There was also a man with a dagger and a large cloth bag. All of them threw themselves down to protect a single Callius. Youre doing something useless! Kwagagagagaga! The ground shook, and Ramatus staff blew them away. But they were not alone. Protect Master Callius!! What are you doing! You all owe him your lives!! All the northern forces were running out to rescue Callius. Their swords could neither parry nor block the tentacles of Ramatu. Still, they stopped in front of Callius and shouted with a roar. You ants KuguguguguC! But now the Sanctuary of the Storm was gone. Many of their allies were running towards the battlefield. And the Master of the North was walking towards his son, even with his serious injuries. Go, Callius!! Elburton! You half-dead bastard Kugugung kwang! Chwaaaak! Ahhh!! Bernards Blue Lightning Sword was deflected upward. A severed hand rose high along with it. Even so, that severed hand were still clutching the sword. Lets die together, you monster! Kwajijijig! Kwaaaang! Lightning bolts spread out from the Blue Thunderbolt sword that floated in the sky. Popopopopopop! Culminating in a series of explosions. Callius!! Bernard shouted as he hugged his severed arm. Hwiiing. Surrounded by the explosions C Callius clasped the Storm Sword with both hands and took a deep breath. His vision was stained with blood. He couldnt even feel his legs. He held the Storm Sword like it was as heavy as the heavens themselves. However. Only once. Just this once. He could swing this sword. And so C Forward! Callius form appeared through the haze of dust. The Storm Sword leading him, seeking the orc warlord. ?? ???????! Ill kill you! The warlord roared as he saw Callius, and the smoke dispersed. But he didnt back down. Callius struck a single sword blow as he neared. A simple stab. However, what it contained wasnt something as simple as that, so the warlord also fought back with all his might. KwaaangC!! A flash of light, followed by a bizarre shattering sound that echoed across the battlefield. A pounding sound intense enough to silence even the cacophony of the battlefield. But soon, the sight was revealed. This, what On the warlords chest, where Callius had struck with his sword, green flowers were blooming. Waaaaaaaaagghhhh!! Master Callius did it!! Waaaaaaagghhhh!! The warlords dead!! The orcs have been defeated!! The collapsing orc warlord. When his head touched the ground, the knights began cheering without hesitation. In contrast, the orcs could only open their mouths in disbelief. Unbelievable! Ramatu grabbed his staff. If you leave it like this, its over. The morale of the orcs was dropping sharply, so as time went on, their defeat would only become more inevitable. He didnt want to reveal himself, but there was no choice now that things had gotten to this point. It wasnt just Lutheon who was risking his life and death here. The enormous wealth and time that Krasion and the Empire had invested here would be wasted. If this venture failed, itd be a huge loss. Its not over yet! Ramatu appeared in front of Callius. It wasnt over yet. First, crush this idiot maniac. And then if he took Elburton and Bernards heads as well, victory would again favour their side. The moment he raised his cane and aimed at Callius C Youve run out of time. The man murmured. Time? I saw it when I was flying. What did you see? It seems that Ive got some more stalkers chasing me. What nonsense are you That was then. C Hiiiiing! A horses neigh could be heard. No, not just one. Ramatu, who was a student of the earth, felt vibrations approaching from the far away horizon. The sound of horseshoes. Quite a number of footsteps. A large army running towards the setting sun. Armor and cloak engraved with crossed red swords. Inquisitor Squad It was the Heretic Inquisitor Squad, that was reputed to have high combat power even among the whole Valtherus Church. I thought itd take at least two more days for support to arrive Hed expected reinforcements to take at least two more days to arrive, no matter how fast they came. Not only that, hed thought the reinforcements would be the main Northern Army, but he was now faced with the Inquisitor Squad. Ramatu gripped the staff tightly with an angry face. His knuckles were white, so tight was his grip with rage. This is our defeat. But he couldnt delay any longer. He clenched his teeth and covered himself back with his robes. And looked at the man who had brought the situation to this point. Callius von Jervain. Hed thought him nothing but a pup. Ramatu looked at him with heavy eyes and warned him. Krasion will keep an eye on you. As he disappeared, the battlefield began to clear up quickly. Fatalites Wheel C Complete [S+] [You have completed the main quest.] [Special rewards are given.] Editors Notes: [1] ??? (inoom) is a curse word that an older uncle might say. Not sure how to translate it honestly, although Ive seen suggestions that kisama is the Japanese equivalent. [2] ?? (geomgang), sword aura forming into a solid shape. See Namu Wiki. Chapter 56 Tadak, tadak. The first noise he heard was the crackling sound of firewood tickling his ears. Accompanying it was the sound of a books pages being turned. When he slowly opened his eyes, he could see the ceiling lit by the reddish glow of candles and stoves, as well as a girl flipping through a book sitting at his bedside. Black hair and gray eyes. It was Emily. She hadnt even noticed Callius waking up, such was her concentration. What kind of book was it that made her so engrossed? Textbook of Northern Swordsmanship? It didnt seem like a book a twelve-year-old would want to read with such intense focus. As he didnt want to disturb her, Callius began to quietly go over his own physical state. Circulating power from the toes to the fingertips. The wounds are all healed. The wounds inflicted by the orc general had already healed. The efficacy of holy water truly great. Even a mortal wound had healed perfectly. There were a few scars, but he managed to survived without any damage, so that wasnt a problem. When he took a closer look just to make sure, his body was actually in very good condition. Better than before, even. Callius von Jervain Occupation C Pilgrim Spirit C Level 3 Divine Power C 6251/6251 Talent C [Bards Blessing C Best] Characteristics C [Verse of Grace] [Nobilitys Duty] [Scapegrace of the Count Family] [Death Verse Composition] [Prodigal Son of the Order] [Gluttony] [Tricolour Eye] [Ability] Strength C 81 (30) Agility C 55 (30) Skill C 16 Health C 50 (30) Faith C 73 Several stats had increased. Strength had risen from 76 to 81, and skill, from 13 to 16. Health, from 47 to 50. He didnt know why that went up. Perhaps because hed pressed his body to the limit while crossing the boundary of life and death. While deeply contemplating, Callius noticed a startling change. When did my Six Peak Flowers technique evolve? Except for the two buds thatd been already present in elixir field, there was now one more. The third bud of the Six Peak Flowers technique was about to be completed. Is this the effect of Death Verse Composition? Did the realization hed gained at that time have an impact on the Six Peak Flowers technique? He thought about it for a while, but couldnt come up with a concrete answer. But it was quite a pleasing occurrence. Although it was not yet complete, the divine power had gathered, spinning. The third bud in his elixir field was still unfinished. It was appropriate, considering that he had one last step left. That last battle, and holy water. And perhaps the enlightenment of Death Verse Composition? But Callius expression soon sank back into calmness. Six Peak Flowers technique is originally rooted on Three Peaks (o). The difficulty rises sharply from creating the third bud. Till the second peak the process is simple, but from the third, the difficulty of condensing a new bud is like creating a star in the sky. It would be difficult even if several sacred stones came out as quest rewards. Itd be difficult to do it with just sacred stones, or eating a dragons heart or drinking its blood. Maybe itd be difficult unless you have the holy relic or even the holy grail of a God. The reason being that from the third peak, you have to construct a vein that connects the three buds. You need to create a flow of spiritual force that circulates between the three buds. Only then can you be said to have truly achieved three peaks. Since you have to create something from nothing inside your elixir field, the level of difficulty is naturally different. Ill have to do it step by step. Maybe something helpful will come out as a reward. I remember getting some rewards? Fatalites Wheel C Complete [S+] [You have completed the main quest.] [Special rewards are given.] This is the message window I saw before I lost consciousness. I cant stand my curiousity. [The S+ reward box has been given.] [Opens the S+ reward box.] Several messages burst out with the sound of small firecrackers. [Broken Sword of a Forgotten God] [Subspace] [Seed of a Defeated God] [Holy Grail of a Defeated God] [Choice of Unique Talent] [Rare Trait Draw Ticket] [Sacred Stone x3] [Saddle of Humasys] Its S+ reward, so there are a lot of things. [Broken Sword of a Forgotten God] Grade C Relic I never thought this might come out The corners of Callius lips drew up in an an arc. The Broken Sword of a Forgotten God. Since the main quest rewards were always random, he hadnt expected to get it even if this was an S+ level reward. But this relic actually came out. Of course, its of no use now. But it was an item that would be of great use someday if he had it. Because it was a relic that could summon any sword itd touched. No matter who owns the sword, if the owner of the relic touches it once and creates a bond, that sword can be summoned at any time. The heirloom of the Jervain family, for example. The Storm Sword C Callis, can also be summoned at any time using this relic. Its a pity that you only have one chance with a weapon, but the fact that you can use a sword of any rank is definitely an attractive factor. Even if its not a sword Its possible. The Exploding Spear, for example. If he so desired, itd be transformed into a sword and fall into the hands of Callius. Or, quests will come later that have you travel to the past or the future. Since the swords obtained there could not be brought back into reality, there would be swords with powerful abilities. These swords that could only be used during the quest, as long as you had this relic, you could have them for the rest of your life. First, lets check the ability. But Storm Sword C Callis couldnt be seen. Predator Sword C Loas and Strong Sword C Gwydd were by his bedside. Even Zornik was there, but Storm Sword C Callis wasnt. Elburton probably took it. Sad. Itd be a lie to say he wasnt greedy, but it couldnt be helped. Storm Sword C Callis was a vision sword. Besides, it was the heirloom of the Jervain family. It was a sword meant for the hands of the patriarch. It was still too early to become the Lord of Jervain just to get his hands on Callis. Because its still too strong a sword for me to handle. I have no choice. Both the amount and purity of his divine power were low, so he couldnt handle a vision sword just yet. He couldnt even handle the Strong Sword C Gwydd properly, so how could he dare talk about a vision sword? Thanks to Fatalites sacred stones, hed somehow been able to survive. The burden should be reduced a bit once his level of divine power reached at least level 2. So Ill think of it as leaving it to you until then. It wont be running away anywhere. Now that the war in the North was over, the Jervain family wouldnt suffer for a while. No worries about losing it to anyone. Not from the hands of Elburton. Is the next one, subspace? [Subspace] Grade C Epic A space-type item common in games. Since it was conceptually linked to the consciousness, it had the ability to summon the weapons contained within at any time with a thought. In this world, space-type items were rare, and it was safe to say that there were few storage items with spatial abilities that could be used in battle. Therefore, subspace was an indispensable item for Callius. In the future, hed fight by switching between the various swords and weapons he owned depending on the situation, and having subspace would really make a difference in terms of efficiency. With a thought, the subspace naturally attuned to Callius, and it contained the rest of the rewards. Callius recalled the Broken Sword of a Forgotten God from the subspace in his consciousness. The handle of a sword appeared in his hand. Although it was a broken sword, it was imbued with a subtle and profound energy. With a satisfied face, he put it back in and looked at the rest. But whats this? [Seed of a Defeated God] Grade C ??? [Holy Grail of a Defeated God] Grade C ??? I never left a setting like this. Did the development team put it in? A seed, as well as the holy grail, of a defeated God. A God is a God, so what does defeated mean in that context? Callius took out the seed and the holy grail out of curiosity, but there was nothing special about either. The seed was just a plain black seed. The holy grail, just a faded silver cup. Holy grails were supposed to have some kind of special ability. The ability to purify something, for example. The moment he touched the holy grail and the seed the size of a pea C Huh? At that moment, the seed sank into the palm of his hand. It swam through the pathways of his divine blood and circulated around his body in an instant. What! Callius, startled, desperately tried to stop the movement by constraining the flow of divine blood, but to no avail. It entered the elixir field. A feverish heat was began spreading all over his body. Along with a sharp pain as if his elixir field was being torn apart. In an instant, a cold sweat covered his skin, chill enough to make the teeth chatter. No! The seed of a defeated God. He had no idea what it was, but there was almost no chance it had anything to do with Valtherus. If two disparate divine powers were placed within the elixir field like this, in the worst case, the elixir field itself might shatter. What, what! Callius! When did you wake up! No, why do you look so bad? Where does it hurt?! Emily, startled, asked a few rapid-fire questions and ran to get a doctor when there was no answer. Kung. [A defeated God. A God who has lost his name now dwells in the elixir field.] What? Immediately, he could feel a huge amount of divine power blossoming from his elixir field. Divine power so pure that hed never felt its like. Despite all his perplexity and pain, Callius couldnt help but admire the purity of the divine power emanating from the seed. And the divine power of the seed C Kakkkhhk!! In an instant, it formed an energy vein inside the elixir field. Callius, whod endured the pain without knowing what was causing it, grabbed his belly and flopped back on the bed. But soon, he forced himself to straighten and sit up. One more has already been created. One energy vein had already been created, and now another. Four more were about to be made at the same time. Like a plant with a tangle of outstretched roots C Callius Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season technique formed three peaks, and took root in his elixir field. Kahaaaaaaaaaaaaah!! Kwaaaang! The pure divine power that could not be absorbed by his body, exploded outwards. The dazzling silver light that was nothing more than a waste product, was ejected from the skin through sweat. Jevarsch, outer fortress. Inside a room, the dazzling light of divine power illuminated the surroundings like the dawn. Soldiers and knights of the castle rushed in through the door. Master Callius!! Are you alright? There was only Callius, whose whole body was shining brightly. [You have achieved three peaks of the Six Peak Flowers technique.] What the hell is this Much like them, Callius also couldnt make head or tail of his current circumstances. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 57 Are you really alright? Callius answered affirmatively to the worried Emily. To be honest, he was still confused, but he could only answer that way. Its not like he could tell Emily or the rest about the system. What did you do all of a sudden? Everyone was dumbfounded. I was worried too. You didnt wake up for ten whole days. I got a little enlightenment. Enlightenment. What a simple word. Emilys brows furrowed softly hearing it. Looks like it. Your divine power is stronger than before. Even I can feel it. Truly. His divine power level did not rise, but the purity became outstanding. If the divine power before had been light and thin, should it be said that it was now quite heavy and thick? Still, I was surprised. I was worried that you might never wake up at all, but suddenly there was a commotion Take a bath first. You stink. Yeah. His body was awash with a foul odour as if it had was packed full of waste products. However, the skin covered with shells like a lizard might shed, and the flesh underneath was white. Thats interesting. After taking a quick bath, Callius felt anew the energy that was welling up from his elixir field. It must be said that in order to achieve three peaks, the original first and second peaks had to be broken and remade. If it werent for the seeds performance, I wouldnt have even dreamed of this. But there was something that bothered him. A defeated God whose name had been lost. That bastard dug into his body, and the Six Peak Flowers technique rose to the mountain summit. Again. Parts that hed never set up was bothering him again. But aside from the message, there was really nothing to examine. The traces of the seed that had sunk into the elixir field had long since disappeared. Inside the room hed been left alone in, Callius put down the wet towel and reflected on what had just happened. A defeated God dwells. What significance did this have? A defeated God. The seed of that God had nestled inside him. Perhaps its safer to say that the will of God dwells there. The system message did not say the seed, but rather the God dwelt. A defeated Gods will. Or something similar, nestled inside his elixir field, creating the third three peak of Six Peak Flowers Bloom in Late Season and six energy veins. Now, in his elixir field, three buds had taken root, with two veins each. The stronger and more resplendent buds were the reason behind his purer divine power. Is there no other effect because its a defeated God? At first, hed been worried about the clash between different divine powers. However, the divine power inside the seed was so pure and homogeneous that it even made the Six Peak Flowers bloom. Despite all his worries, only good things happened. Its a little embarrassing. His whole body was brimming with divine power, elevating his aura. He took the Vivis Bracelet that had been placed on the table and wore it. Then, the powerful surge of divine power again faded calmly. Did I lose the half-glove that Dexter made for me? It looked like it was torn or lost during the battle. He felt sorry, but it couldnt be helped. He put the Predator Sword into the subspace and gently raised the Strong Sword. As he grabbed the hilt of the sword and slowly pulled it out, the broken gray-white blade was revealed. [Strong Sword C Gwydd] Grade C Spirit Infused Soul C Gwydd, the Troll Unique Ability C Spirit Descent. The sword was broken, but the soul was still there. If it had been a life sword, he wouldve just sent it to the heavens to get a reward. Just throwing it away would be a pity. The Strong Sword had demonstrated its power in this war. If it werent for the trolls spirit descent, he wouldnt have been able to turn the battle around. It was difficult to give up the Strong Sword, which let one borrow the might and regenerative power of a troll. Whether or not he could get a reward for a demonic sword was also unknown. Ill have to call Dexter. It was unknown if even he could fix it, but hed still have to call Dexter and show it to him. Its not that he didnt believe in the dwarfs skills, but this was no ordinary sword. Originally, taking it to the Church getting it tested would have been the right decision, but Its impossible because its a sword mixed with demonic power. If you take such a sword there, it would either be taken away or he would be driven away as a heretic. There was no reason for him to rock the boat[1]. If even Dexter couldnt fix it Ill have to take the risk and try to fix it myself. Originally, the soul of a life sword would disappear as soon as it was broken, but the soul of a troll would not disappear that easily. He was sure it could be fixed somehow. Callius stopped himself from worrying further and put the sword down. Shall we check the rest of the rewards? Because of the seed of the defeated God, he hadnt really looked at the rest of the rewards. The existence of the seed was still an open question, but there was no way to find out, so for now he could only accept it as a fortuitous encounter. If Six Peak Flowers technique reacted He had some hopes, but he couldnt be sure. He shook his head as he remembered the saint of the Church, who had disappeared so long ago. [Choice of Unique Talent] [Rare Trait Draw Ticket] Unique talents and rare traits! Talents and traits. Talents, and traits. It wasnt easy to acquire talents compared to traits. He decided to take a look at the talent options right away. It was written as choice, so there must be a few options. [Choice of Unique Talent] As expected, they are all unique talents. None of the three were bad. At first glance, one might think they were useless talents, but in this world, each country spoke a different language. In addition, there were countless other languages, such as ancient languages ??and languages ??of different races, and just being able to read them could bring many advantages. For example. It meant that he could read the language of the Vira people that hed discovered recently. And find out how that ancient civilization crafted artefacts. Besides, the language left by the Gods might appear in the future, so this talent would always be helpful. Its not worth throwing away intuition, though. In a sense, intuition is everything in battle. There are no few people who fight entirely based on their intuition. Besides, it would not only be useful in battle, but would definitely be of great help during trading. Mental calculation is good, too. Every battle is also a battle of numbers. When the enemy does this, I counterattack like this, and the ball goes to the others court, and so on. In battles numbers were essential, and better mental calculation ability meant one could solve problems more easily on the battlefield. After contemplating for a while, Callius chose Instinctive Intuition. Because the first and the third were talents that were a bit disappointing for unique grade. There couldve been many better choices But what could he do? He had to make do with what hed been given. Good intuition will be of great help during enlightenment or in dangerous situations. Intuition is the best. Other things you might be able to do with effort, but not improve your intuition. It was purely a matter of innate talent. [Choose Instinctive Intuition?] So, along with the sound of the wind blowing, he felt a little heat all over his body, which then disappeared in the next instant. Lets leave it at that for now. Next, he decided to take a look at the trait draw. It was a draw, meaning he had to rely purely on luck. He cleared my mind and started the draw. [Starting to draw rare traits.] . . . He could hear the sounds of a roulette wheel, spinning. What would come out? Since it was rare, he thought something quite useful might come out. Something to strengthen the physical ability might be good, or a trait that helped get more wealth. Whatever came out, if it was rare, it would surely be something useful, so his heart was already poundin. Tiling. Pheromone Grade C Rare The moment he saw the message on the status window, he let out a sigh. Ha! Really. Pheromone. It was so absurd that he had no words to describe it. The only explanation was that the body smelled good. Meaning no effect whatsioever. This is something rare, is it. It was a passive effect, so he couldnt even turn it on or off. It was more like a garbage setting if you thought of it like making yourself easier to detect due to the scent of pheromones during a surprise operation or an ambush. He didnt even know how it smelled like because it was his own scent. Ill have to ask somebody later. The remaining rewards were three sacred stones and a saddle. The Saddle of Humasys, whod been famous as a master horseman. [Saddle of Humasys] Grade C Rare Even Callius, who hadnt been able to ride a horse to save his life, wouldnt find riding difficult anymore if he had this. Since the sacred stones could be consumed with the Gluttony characteristic, they could be used for training or to supplement divine power in an emergency. They could also be used as currency, so there was nothing wrong with getting them. After reviewing the usages of the items obtained and putting them back into the subspace C Callius took out the holy grail, and two containers full of troll blood. To test out his hypothesis, he dripped a drop of troll blood on the chalice. Ttok. With that sound, a subtle divine power began to coalesce in the holy grail. Since ancient times, the holy grail had been known to contain the blood of God, but it was also famous for transforming its nature and turning it into wine. So Callius tried it out, in the hope that the grail might have the power of purification in this place as well, same as in those religions. If only he could purify the demonic power mixed in the troll blood. Purified troll blood was literally a potion, so itd be of great help to Callius, who didnt have any holy water left. Having a potion that can restore the body is no different than having an extra life. I cant do it. He tried supplying it with divine power, but it didnt change much. Shouldnt you at least leave a manual or something? There was no helping it. The precious troll blood was taken back and the chalice put aside. Lets try the purification later. I think Ill have to look for some related books or literature. Theres a lot to do. The troll blood had be purified. Six Peak Flowers technique had risen to the three peaks summit, but it still needed to be stabilized a bit more. The energy veins had to be examined again, and then there was the sword and the leftover problems of the northern lands. Hed have to re-organize his schedule for the future. Before the Empire attacks again, we must organize the northern lands and dig out the rotten roots of the Carpe Kingdom. Tuk, tuk. The sounds of Callius fingers, tapping the table, indicated how much trouble he was still in. However, it stopped quickly, and the corners of his mouth curved in an arc. Shall we use them, then? An office inside the castle. So Callius woke up. Yes, he did. Good to hear. Hahaha. After the war, the Master of the North had a lot to laugh about. Elburton von Jervain. The fatal wound he had sustained in battle healed immediately. Rather, he was in better health than before, so once the war was over, he got locked up in his office with a pile of papers about the post-processing. But Elburton always had a smile at the corners of his lips. Because of his son, who was now called a war hero. Because of Callius. What are you going to do about him? You mean Callius? Yes. Isnt Callavan in hiding? After the war, Callavan disappeared. Since no one could find him even during the war, hed probably gone into hiding right away. Yeah, now that hes gone, Ill have to give Callius what he should have had. Since the young master contributed more than anyone else in this war, its only natural that he should be rewarded appropriately. Yeah. Its been a while since I last opened the vault. Hed like that, too, right? The treasure vault of the Jervain family. Since it was a place containing the artifacts and swords made by the successive patriarchs, Callius would surely be satisfied. Of course. A knight with that level of skill must covet the treasures there. Yeah. Thats right. Since Callis is the family heirloom, it wont be possible right now, but other treasures are fine. Didnt one of his swords break anyway? I have to do at least this so he wont be sad. Jjek. As Elburton spoke, his mouth felt a bitter taste. If hed known things would turn out like this, he never wouldve have chased his own son out in the first place. He was deeply regretful for not properly noticing the qualities of his own son, but what could he do? It was all spilled milk. Even though his son had been abandoned, hed risked his life to protect the northern lands, so the only wise choice now was to do everything he couldnt do until now. The successor position That too, Ill have to arrange. Seeing Callius performance in this war, Elburton thought it would be good enough to entrust the North to him. Now there was no other option. It was Elburton whod adopted somebody and caused this chaos. Callius, who Elburton had always been worried about as a parent, grew up and came back to see him, so how could he not give him everything he could as a father? Even if he didnt like the gift, it was enough to leave it to him. Then what to do about the children? Hmm That bastards children. Rivan, the son of Callavan, and Rinney, the daughter. Now that Callavan had disappeared, rumours that they were the children of a traitor were spreading throughout the castle. The children are innocent, but its difficult to leave them like this. Ive already thought about that issue, so you dont have to worry about it. Just entrust them to Callius. He was the one whod be responsible for the North and Jervain in the future, so it wouldnt hurt to leave him the decision-making power about this kind of thing. Besides, the children of Callavan were not complete strangers to Callius either. All right. More than that, though. Yes. Im wondering what to do with them. Are you talking about them? If one was a war hero who beheaded the enemys chief on the battlefield. Then they, who appeared just in time, and swiftly cleaned up the remnants of the enemy army, were also worthy of being called heroes. If it werent for the reinforcements that appeared so suddenly, the lives of many more northern men wouldve been lost. But you cant listen to their demands. Right. There was only one thing the Inquisition wanted. To take Callius into custody. My goodness. What the hell have you been up to? Before, Elburton mightve left it at that, thinking his son was a crazy maniac after all, but now he couldnt. Callius was now the hero whod saved the North. He had to be treated like a hero. I cant hand my son over to those crazy people. Elburton had no intention of surrendering Callius to them. Editors Notes: Chapter 58 Its peaceful. It was peaceful. As the land seething with beasts became calm, peace came to the North. The end of the war was one reason, but the bigger reason was that the beast population throughout the northern lands had plummeted due to the invading orcs using them as food. Without the presence of the beasts, the only problem the North faced was just a little cold, so it was a time of perfect peace for the residents. Although they mourned the losses of their families for a while, as time passed, they had started helping each other and regaining the strength needed to live such hard lives. Thats good. He said while looking at Jevarsch. The collapsed walls were being repaired. The villagers were milling about, distributing food to the soldiers, their footsteps bold and confident. The work mightve looked arduous, but their faces didnt look too bad. They were marching steadily towards tomorrow. It was quite nice to see. Not bad. Most of his actions had been for the sake of his quests, but thinking that itd helped them in their lives, a corner of his heart felt proud. Isnt it? Everyone is praising master. It was Bruns. As soon as hed heard the news about Callius being awake, hed jumped up and rushed back in tears. That had been an hour ago. Taking upon himself the role of a guide, he was updating Callius on the situation here and there. Ah! Its Master Callius! The war hero! The children called him a hero when they saw him, and the locals he met on the road put their hands on their chests and greeted him politely. The images superimposed with his memory of being shunned and avoided, during his days as a maniac. Compared to before C Their faces now told a different story. He felt a sense of exasperation welling up. Lay off, you little brats. He wished he could respond with something better. Even now, the characteristic, Scapegrace of the Count Family, was proving to be really irritating. But what could he do? Thats just who Callius is. As he gazed at the children happily screaming and running away, Bruns said with a subdued tone. These children. What? Theyve started studying swordsmanship with Master Bernard. Theyve all seen and felt various things during the Northern War, so theyre trying pretty hard. And is that old sir in good enough shape to go about teaching people right now? How is that old man faring? Hes healthy. He was lying in bed for a day or two, so his body is sore. Even though hed lost an arm[1], the paladin seemed to have recovered enough physically to move around. Callius was glad the man was in good health, but he still couldnt help but feel bitter. He was able to kill the enemy because Bernard gave him time by sacrificing an arm. However, for a paladin whod been holding a sword all his life, losing a hand was no different than losing his whole life. A seed of guilt had nestled in his heart, making it heavy. If I had some holy water left, I wouldve tried attaching it once. Unfortunately, not a drop of it was left. Although he had crude troll blood, itd be tough to use that for attaching a severed arm. From what hed heard, the wound had even been burned before being bandaged and given first aid. Even with holy water, itd be difficult to re-attach the amputated part after that. Where is he now? Probably in the prayer room. The prayer room. I see. There must be quite a few people whove been left shattered by this war. There had to be quite a lot of work still to be done. Other than that, there were Allen and Aaron. Orphin and the other knights were repairing the walls, collecting abandoned food and looking for missing persons. And the two were also busy with their own work, collecting the remains of the fallen. Although the war was over, there were many things left to do. Guess I came late. The dead numbered in the thousands. It was no easy task to gather their remains and deliver them to the friends and family of the deceased. Ill help out too. You dont have to. Why? They decided on their own to come and help out. Ah, you mean those bastards. That was then. Speak of the devil and he shall appear. A very bothersome guy appeared. Isnt it Master Callius? Are you already well enough to move? Wearing a symbol of the Church. A cloak that symbolized the Heretic Inquisitors, engraved with the symbol of the crossed twin swords. He spoke with a smile, but his attitude was barefacedly pretentious. As you see. Callius couldnt be sure if it was actually an ally or an uninvited guest, whod arrived at the North. It was Inquisitor Ryburn. Thats right. Oh, Im sure Master Callius will be attending this evenings dinner as well. Is there something like that? Yes, I heard somewhere that the guests would be treated tonight. Perhaps it was a banquet to commend the Inquisition, whod helped in the war. Callius himself had also awakened, so the dinner Ryburn was referring to was probably being held to repay the help received in the war. Ill attend if I can. Id love to hear more about the story of a war hero. There are also some other words to share Then, see you. After saying farewell and that he hoped to meet again at dinner, Ryburn slowly disappeared in the distance. Callius clicked his tongue. Poisonous Akasha. Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor, Ryburn. Ryburn du Valus. Hes like a stalker. I never dreamed that they would come this far. Callius hadnt, either. If he hadnt seen them on his way to the battlefield, itd have been one big surprise. Did you tattle on me? No way! I hate them too. They chased us so hard we couldnt even sleep for a while. Youve been chased after not sleeping properly for a while because of them. I still get mad just thinking about it. True enough. And now that already annoying guy had two other captains tagging along. He mustve come here to arrest me. Knowing that Callius was in the North, hed probably been afraid of Jervains reputation and had asked for support. But hed had no choice but to help the North during the war. No matter how much their role was to find and interrogate heretics, itd have been strange for them to not raise their swords when facing barbarian savages who believed in foreign Gods. The helping part was mostly accidental. I dont know how theyre going to be rewarded for their help, since the North has no money. Doesnt the North have money? Just look at the place. Its a barren land where it snows all year round. Because of the beasts, it cant attract tourists, and the crops grown in this barren land do not have much taste or nutrition to speak of. The only special regional products are medicinal herbs, and by-products of magical beasts. Still, theres a huge population of magical beasts, and selling their by-products to the Church or the kingdom is the main source of revenue. Hmm. If its money C In the future, the northern lands will get exposed to quite a lot of danger. The orcs have been largely decimated this time, so theres no need to worry about them for a while, but the Imperial Army is a different matter. The North is like a thorn in the eye of those trying to subjugate Carpe, so you never know when another war might break out. Jervain of the North has long been famous as the Pillar of Carpe. If theres money, itll be easy to replenish the lost manpower. Although the main forces of the North are returning from the borders, even taking them into account, this war has caused great damage. Itll take a lot of time and money to replenish the ranks of the knights and soldiers whod been sacrificed. The only way to save time is money, and its difficult because therere few ways to earn money in the North. But. Callius knew. How to make a great sum of money. In the North, orc corpses are now piled up like a mountain, unattended. And there were hundreds of priests of the Church stationed here. Theyre the ones who tormented me even though Im innocent, so its fair that they should pay a price. How was it? It was normal. He had the typical tone and arrogant behaviour of a noble. It was typical of nobility. Of course, he had the most noble appearance among all nobles. Ryburn straightened his glasses and looked at his companions. Captain of the third squad. Orcal du Valus. Captain of the sixth squad. Druma du Valus. And finally, himself, the captain of the fifth squad. Ryburn du Valus. All three were gathered in the guest room inside the Jevarsch Fortress. Three of the seven captains were gathered. All of them were spirit sword bearers, and they were the leaders of the Heretic Inquisition, who had a proven record of strength and faithfulness within the Church of Valtherus. You know Im not asking that. Other than that? I dont know about his level of divine power. The energy I felt was minimal. The level of divine power was minimal. Rumours that he had made an outstanding performance in the war seemed to have been false. Forget about the level of an orc commander. He could only feel the energy of an ordinary knight who might even lose to a great warrior. It was insignificant? To what extent? The amount I could feel was around the fourth grade. Although the quantity or quality of divine power did not alone determine the strength of a knight Level four was the level of a regular knight. What, thats all? The smaller the amount of divine power, the less could be used to strengthen your physical ability, and the smaller the amplification. The higher the level of divine power, the higher the overall physical specifications. No matter how great a swordsmanship he possessed, if he didnt have the physical ability to support it, it was just a joke. How was the purity? Purity wasnt bad. But if I had to say, it was around third grade. But didnt he win one-on-one against the warlord? I thought he was really strong, because he killed that kind of a guy. You cant believe rumours. No, no, all the soldiers and knights who fought on the battlefield were like that, right? Had it not been for Callius, this war would have ended with a shameful defeat. I dont think theyre all hypnotized. We saw it too. Certainly, it was a scene worthy of veneration. Hmm. The scenery theyd seen in person still hadnt easily faded from their minds. They saw the warlord dead on the ground, and in front of him, surrounded by many knights, the bleeding form of Callius. There were traces of a huge battle, and the knights on the battlefield shed tears. It was different from just listening to it afterwards. It was difficult to dismiss what theyd seen as a lie. Still, Ryburn, you probably didnt make a mistake. If hes that weak, cant we just take him with us? It was the captain of the third squad, Orcal. A man with curly brown hair and a youthful appearance. At first glance, he looked young and naive, but he was the one with the cruellest disposition among the heretic inquisitors. How do you mean? How else? Have we done something like this just once or twice? Even if the opponent is a nobleman, the task of an inquisitor is to root out heretics. But theres no evidence. Everybody knew that already. However, there was no clear evidence. Besides, Callius was the eldest son of Count Jervain, one of the four great nobles of Carpe. It was impossible to arrest him on suspicion alone without any evidence. If theres no evidence, we can create it. The captain of the sixth squad said with a deep voice. Druma. When he, who was usually reticent to speak, opened his mouth, it had to be something useful. How do you mean? Didnt the suspicions of heresy come about because his swordsmanship suddenly rose sharply, although he was known to be a talentless dullard? Right. Callius mustve gotten his hands on a holy relic. Something that changed him, who had been the most untalented dullard in the kingdom. It could be said that he was now a completely different person. There was no doubt that his level of swordsmanship talent, which was innate and impossible to change, had risen sharply. Even though he found such a great relic, he did not report it to the Church, so it was heresy. But his identity is an obstacle to proceeding with the interrogation If this place hadnt been the domain of Jervain. At the very least, if hed still been the old piece of trash, they wouldnt have had to worry about it. The Jervain still lived, so it was impossible to forcefully arrest the hero whod protected the North. Then make him an inquisitor, and the problem will go away. Editors Notes: [1] We really suspected and re-checked while translating the fight scene, and were convinced it mentioned both hands being severed, but guess its time to eat crow. Chapter 59 Theres an old saying. There are two things that can devour an abyss. One is a bigger abyss. And the other C Is a flame that can light up the whole world. Bernard, whod lost one of his arms, spoke thus, leaning on his Thunderbolt Sword like a staff. Whatre you going on about all of a sudden? I came to see how things were going. But as soon as I arrived, he started spouting something odd. Those deep eyes, as if glistening with some deep sense of duty, were quite burdensome. Callius. Become a flame. So. What is this out of the blue? Cheok. Bernard handed over the Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan that hed been carrying. I saw a spark in you. Did you read some weird book recently or something? Youre just keeping on talking about fires. Callius looked at Bernard and the Thunderbolt Sword alternately with a frown on his face. A small spark that will protect the North and the great Carpe Kingdom. Although small now, you will one day become a great blaze that will cover the continent. So. Take this sword. Its not a vision sword, but its at the very edge of entering that rank, so itll be useful in the future. No way. Have you been drinking? Youll probably say that you dont need it. I already know that youll reject me because I only have one arm left. But take it. This is Thank you. Tak. Callius grabbed the Blue Thunderbolt Sword. But Bernards hand holding the sword did not let go for some reason. Im not finished yet. Its superfluous. Just give it to me. Youll refuse wont you? Why would I refuse something Im given? This is the sword Ive been coveting and waiting for, for so many years. Why would I be willing to give it up? I only have one arm left, if I dont even have my Thunderbolt Sword, how am I supposed to live! Callius eyes turned cold. What do you mean? You should reject it for a while worrying about me and then reluctantly agree! That should cement my prestige! What the hell. Whats going on in that head of yours? Callius relinquished his hold on the Thunderbolt Sword. Bernard, who clutching it with his remaining left arm, coughed in embarrassment. Hmm. This Thunderbolt Sword. My best friend, Rakan, once fell into a crisis. After a bloody battle that ended with his self-sacrifice, he became a carcass according to his own will. Pilgrims, before their succession ceremony C All of them sign one pledge. That their own souls shall not ascend into the arms of God, but remain behind a while for the sake of the Church. They pledge that they shall have no objection to becoming a carcass after their deaths. A Mortal Vow. The Thunderbolt Sword had also been made the same way. The enemy was strong. One whod ruled the northern countryside. It was so strong, that the fight went on for three days and three nights. In the end, we won, but a lot of blood was shed. Of course, Callius knew the details. Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan. The existence of the man called Rakan, and the background behind Bernard acquiring his moniker, the Blue Thunderbolt, Callius knew it all. A group of pilgrims whod been dispatched to the North. Bernard and Rakan being the best of them. The strongest, and the most faithful among the pilgrims. But a sudden crisis called for a sacrifice. By the time Bernard arrived, the situation was already hopeless, and Rakan became a carcass sword as he had hoped. I took revenge with this Rakan by my side. A victory after fighting for three days and three nights. The king of the demonic beasts that made the North tremble I remember being so scared at the time. How long do I have to listen to this? As the story stretched longer and longer, Callius couldnt help but interject with a bored tone. Bernards eyes stung him with a sharp glare, but then softened. Will you continue carrying the will of my friend, Rakan? Yes. Tas. The gazes of Bernard and Callius, who each held one end of the sword, intersected. And soon C Shake, shake. The struggle began. Cant you just give it to me? My warriors blood is boiling. I think I can still use it Dont bullshit. What bullshit! Im still alright! I wake up full of energy every morning! With a, kwang! Callius, who had seized it by force, hurriedly hung the Thunderbolt Sword at his waist. Energy my foot. Ah Did I lose my sword? Bernard looked at the Thunderbolt Sword with sad eyes. Conversely, Callius patted the sword with a reassured face. Actually, I have another reason for entrusting you with Rakan. Whats that? The beast that killed my friend, Rakan. Its cubs are still alive. ? That was then. Epic Quest Grade C A+ Nip the sprout of the aftermath in the bud. Reward: Blue Lightning (i). System messages began to arrive. Callius was startled. Again This was a part that he hadnt set. The sprout of the aftermath. You mean a cub of that beast? Yeah. I only caught one glance, but theres no way Id ever mistake its appearance. Ive never been able to forget its mothers appearance or her blue lightning. The beast that had killed Rakan. The background had been set only that far. Its a cross between a dragon and a wolf. It has dragon scales all over its body, and therere two horns on its head sparking with blue lightning. Ive never set anything like that. A descendant of a dragon and a wolf Why not just kill it when you saw it on the battlefield? I was going to! But it just looked at the battlefield from afar and didnt come closer. As if it came to sightsee for fun. Considering Bernards testimony and the new quest message, it has to be true. A descendant of the dragons. One of those bastards is still alive. Callius. Its a very clever creature. Make sure you never allow it to escape. If you leave it alone, itll one day rule the beasts of the northern forest like the old days and become a threat to us. Whats its name? I dont remember setting it. But Bernard would know. Even if its never been set. Because its a past hes lived through. I used to call it the thunder wolf dragon (Ǹo). Thunder wolf dragon, eh. A wolf with dragon blood. Hence the name. Actually, Rakan has one more secret. Do you want to hear it? You mean that this sword is a demon sword? !! How did you know! Who would know if I dont? The reason why Bernard spends all his time catching beasts in the North is partly because of this sword. Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan. This sword is a demon sword, crafted by mixing the half-melted carcass of Rakan with another demon, in the belly of the thunder wolf dragon. Dragon blood is also mixed, so its a dragon demon sword. Anyway, it is a sword that the Church is bound to hate. So thats why youre giving it to me. So Ill take it and get arrested. What are you talking about! Its time to pass it on, thats all. This sick and weary old man no longer has the strength to lift a sword, so the embers of the burnt torch should be passed on to new ones. He turned his face away and spoke thus. While constantly coughing as was his wont, be it winter or summer. Rousing himself from such bittersweet thoughts, Callius considered the quest reward. Reward from theEpic Quest. Blue lightning. It will strengthen the electric power of the sword. A quest for a sword, with a dash of history mixed in. Theres no reason not to accept it. Callius, grabbing the swords handle, slowly pulled Rakans blade out. Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan Grade C Spirit Infused Soul C Ra??kan Unique Ability C Blue Lightning The infused soul had a question mark. It wasnt a normal magicborn, but the demon had probably been too corroded by the digestive juices to persist. I cant take it out in front of those people. The same went for the Predator Sword C Loas. Strong Sword C Gwydd. Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan. All the swords Callius had were demon swords, so he couldnt take them out in front of the inquisitors. Anybody sensitive to demon magic would will probably notice. They arent heretic inquisitors for nothing. Besides, the guys whod come here were the commanders of the Inquisitor Squads. Even a minor nitpick might end up being something quite annoying. Cheok. Callius, who put the Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan back in, looked at Bernard and asked. What are you going to do now? What do you mean? Going forward. What can an old man do? Just listen to the confessions of the villagers as a pastime and occasionally teach swordsmanship. Hed been in the North for a long time. For him, the North was now home. This land is cold and barren. Thats why one yearns for warmth. When I first came to the North, someone told me. There are times when even the cold can feel warm. At first, I thought it was bullshit. For me, the harsh cold wind that blows all year round has long since felt quite cozy. Falling snowflakes that glinted beautifully in the sunlight. C Spar! Haha! Through the falling snowflakes, one could see children, training their swordsmanship. The corners of Bernards lips drew up in an arc. Is that so. Callius. Ive traded my arm for the future of the North. If youve saved the damn North, didnt it come cheap? Besides, this is a saga thats worth drinking about for the rest of my life. So. Dont be too sad. I just lost an arm, thats all. Hearing Bernards quiet words C Callius licked his lips a few times before responding. He didnt know how to comfort a loss he had never felt. But. Master! I invented a new sword art! Oh! Is that so? Lets see! Even after losing an arm and letting the sword go, Bernard was trying to move on. So, just May God not watch over Bernards path ahead. Just a small wish floated in the wind. A banquet hall in the inner city of Jevarsch. A long rectangular table, lit by soft lighting. Candlesticks lighting up the darkness. In a place overflowing with food, the air was taut with tension. Its not much, but please eat to your hearts content. A middle-aged man sitting at the top of the table, savouring wine. Elburton, pretended not to notice the needle-sharp momentum of those present at the dinner. I hope the northern food will please your palate. On the right were the commanders of the Inquisition. And on the left were Callius and Emily. His knights, Allen and Orphin, stayed standing. Allen and Orphin, who were standing behind Callius, as well as Emily, did not show any facial expression, but they exuded a heavy and burdensome aura. Because of the mighty pressure covering them, aura quietly leaked out of their whole bodies. It is an honour for us to be invited to a Jervain family dinner. Is that so. The lords eyes are evidence of the stigmata of God. Just seeing them can be called an honour. We have merely received the grace of our ancestors. There is no achievement for me to boast of. Haha, you are too humble. Protecting the northern lands is the same as protecting Carpe. We only took a small part in the glorious battlefield, but its still a great honour for us. A friendly conversation ensued. Rivon was good at sabotage, so, clever as a snake, he put Jervain and the northern lands on a pedestal. Youre a smooth talker. He didnt know what kind of story he was trying to weave, but there had to be reason behind praising Jervain so excessively. Callius couldnt let it go. Inquisitor Ryburn. Yes, Master Callius. If its such an honour, you wouldnt hesitate to help the North a little more, would you? Of course. To help the North is to help Carpe, and what is for the Carpe is for the Church. The Church exists for God. So, it could be said that this was a work for God. This war has left us with enough orc corpses to build a few mountains. How about saving them by turning their filth into carcasses? Ryburns brows twitched. You mean all of them? Why not? Its not too difficult. Since you have hundreds of troops, the Church can give them a chance to wash their fallen souls with the carcass ritual. Of course, thats true, but Ryburn glanced at the captains next to him. They nodded their heads and raised their glasses in response. Alright. Then well have to adjust the proportions. Adjust? What kind of adjustment are you talking about? That, of course, what to do with the carcasses. It mustve been about deciding the Churchs share with the North. But Callius had no intention of allowing that. They are the ones who ripped the flesh and blood of the Northern Army, whod been born and raised in the North. Naturally, the people of our North have to carry them and wash their corrupted souls with blood. Or, does the Church intend to again send reinforcements for the North like they did this time? Ryburn was speechless. What he was hearing was that they would make more than ten thousand orcs into carcasses and the North would take them all. If so, who would pay for their labour? Even if it was the Church, nobody works without pay. Its said that an idiot is forever an idiot. I didnt know youd be so bold. Ryburn licked the insides of his mouth and gave a cold smile. A serpentine scheme flashed through his mind. It was a way of putting pressure on Callius and the North and reducing their effort. When I think about it again, what Master Callius said is right. If you promise me one thing in return, Ill gladly do it. Tell me. If Master Callius returns to the Church with us, we will honour everything you have said. You mean me? Why? We of the Inquisitor Squads highly appreciate Master Callius skills, so we will recommend you as a new inquisitor. Of course. Before that, you have to go through the test of heresy first Of course, if its Master Callius, there should be no problem. As long as there is no sin, that is. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 60 Recommendation to become an inquisitor. On the outside, it was called a recommendation, but it was clear what intention was hidden inside. Theyre still suspicious. Callius didnt know what exactly they suspected him of, only that they were still clearly suspicious. However, his identity and position was now different than before, so they recommended him to become a heretic inquisitor on the surface, but their true goal mustve been to get to interrogate him. As long as they managed that C Theyd simply fabricate a sin even if one didnt exist. It was ridiculous. He didnt know why they kept on doing this, but he wasnt fool enough to fall for such a shallow trick. Thanks for the suggestion, but Just as Callius was about to respond C Elburton, whod been quietly listening all this time, spoke. Thank you, but no. My apologies. His voice was heavy. With a trace of anger in it. May I ask why? Ryburn asked, a little nervously. Although wounded, Elburton was still the Lord of the North. The Pillar of Carpe. As a knight with one foot into the realm of Masters, he deserved honour and respect. Ryburn thought he knew what Elburton might say, but Elburton took a deep look at Callius and said something outside his expectations. Callius is the eldest and only son of Jervain. Now he must receive the education appropriate for a successor. Callius furrowed his brows at that deep, inscrutable gaze. Youre saying I mean that he is the man who will one day be responsible for Jervain, and for the northern lands. The succession ceremony will be held soon, so itll be difficult for him to become a heretic inquisitor. Elburtons words surprised not only the inquisitor-captains, but also everyone else present. Naturally, including Callius. This is a bit too much. Although hed had some expectations of becoming the next successor. Because hed demonstrated his worth. Moreover, right now, nobody knew whether Callavan had been buried in the ground or ascended to heaven. Since there was no reason to adopt another heir, it was natural for him to be selected for the position. He even brought up the succession ceremony. If that took place, itd be irreversibly set in stone, and he would become the next Lord of Jervain. Not only would the Jervain patriarchs position pass into his hands, but he would also inherit the title to these lands, which would be a bit of a hassle. He wouldnt be able to attack others without caring for the consequences, and every single one of his actions would be under a lot of scrutiny. Even his words. Everything would become tinged with a political nuance. Of course, it was still something he needed, but only after some more time passed. Right now was still too early . The life of a wandering pilgrim suited him more at the moment. For somebody with my characteristics, to become the Lord of the North? It was insane. Of course, it was not only Callius who was nonplussed, but also the inquisitor-captains. Theyd thought theyd hit upon a brilliant idea, but Elburtons one move was enough to overturn the whole table. Lord, have you not healed yet? I was wounded quite deeply in this last war. Since I felt death brushing so close, Ive been thinking of stepping back and enjoying the rest of my life. Spending some time with my grandchildren would be nice. Elburton looked sincere. Watching him secretly look at Emily as he talked, he really seemed to have changed his mind since his latest brush with death. So it was Callius whose thoughts turned more and more urgent. It might be better to become a heretic inquisitor. But that too came with a lot of annoying things, like being interrogated. No matter how the interrogation ended, they wouldnt stop probing him for weaknesses. This way wasnt good, that way wasnt either. Callius pondered for a moment. Fine. After all, the northern lands are bound to grow in importance. There was Fatalites holy sanctuary, and Valtherus Tears had been planted there. Not just that, there were still trolls hiding in the valley at the bottom of the Sinking Forest. Besides, the North needs to grow further in power. It had to become stronger than it was now. In order to resist the empires invasion in the future, increasing its military power was necessary. However, the destruction of Carpe couldnt be avoided solely with the North. So. Then lets do this. Callius spoke up, taking an alternate look at Elburton and Ryburn. After the succession ceremony. How about having me serve as a heretic inquisitor? You mean Heretic inquisitor, and the Lord of Jervain. Both should be accepted. Each had its pros and cons, but if you combined both, only the pros would remain. You dont have to be tied to the North, and if you become a heretic inquisitor, there is little chance that youd be driven out as a heretic because of others envy. Besides C To cut out the rotten roots of Carpe, to save the kingdom itself. Was that not the true vocation of the inquisitors? Besides, if he were to be the future ruler of Jervain and the North, who would inherit the counts position They wont dare try anything reckless. After all, Elburton wasnt going to pass everything on to him right away. Are there any other problems? I see. Naturally not. Ryburns trembling cheeks were a tell-tale proof of his judgment. Crackle, crackle. The office inside the castle. An awkward atmosphere surrounded Elburton and Callius. They stood infinitely close, but somehow because of that, they seemed infinitely distant. This reminds me of the past. Of his childhood. Of the time when hed burned down a farmers small three-room thatched cottage, to grill some skewers for eating. Thats exactly how father looked like back then. Like the calm before the storm. Elburton was silent, as if carefully choosing his words. But his posture contained a silent anger that seemed unable to be hidden. How long do I have to wait? Such were Callius thoughts as he got progressively more and more bored. What were you thinking? Elburton finally spoke. What do you mean? To hold the succession ceremony and then become a heretic inquisitor! If you succeed the counts title, you should be given a more serious position than a mere inquisitor. And yet Callius had just agreed to take the position. Elburton frowned as if he couldnt understand his son at all. Although superficially, the inquisitors were known throughout the kingdom to be the ones to root out and interrogate traitors and heretics. But in reality, they were just a group mired in the politics of the Church and the state. One inheriting the title of a count, one of the few great noble titles of the kingdom, should not step forward to join their ranks. If you take my place, you will be the Lord of the North and a count of the kingdom. I know. And despite knowing that, did you just say that you want to become a heretic inquisitor in front of them? I knew it, but I did it anyway. Thanks to me, youve made a lot of money. Its fine if you dont praise me, but blaming me is a bit too much. You only see one side of the coin and ignore the other. There are many things in this world more important than money. If you pursue the honour established by your ancestors, money will follow you! Elburton, who clenched his fists, took a deep breath and sat down on the chair. Think of the weight of your words, Callius. Based on your words and actions, Jervains prestige shall be built up or destroyed. Ill figure things out somehow. Cheeky. I thought youd changed a bit, but theres no difference. Yes. Callius accepted his fathers words without the expression on his face shifting even the slightest, rather than getting angry. It was unbelievable. Yeah, hes different from before. The situation was different from the past, when theyd faced each other after one of his sons crazy escapades. I dont know what youre thinking. But I wont ask. Please dont forget that the spirit of the North, the blood and sweat of your ancestors, resides in your heart. Having said that, Elburton took out an old-fashioned key from his bosom and threw it. Hwik, cheok. It was quite big and heavy. The material looked like stone, but it didnt seem to be an ordinary object. Whats this? Its the key to our treasure house, that successive generations of family heads have guarded for centuries. Jervains heirloom C Callis, couldnt be handed over yet. You are now Jervains official heir. Choose what you want and take it. Jervains treasure vault. I hope Ill pass this on to you one day. Jervains treasure trove where their artifacts, as well as the swords transformed rom carcasses, are displayed. A treasure trove that only the successive heads of household, and the most outstanding among their direct descendants, can enter. You will be the second in your generation. The first was probably C Youve been wandering around as a pilgrim. Have you heard of Violets whereabouts by any chance? I havent. Is that so An awkward silence followed. Violet von Jervain. Callius younger sister. According to the setting, she leaves the family after Callius goes to the Church. Unlike the eldest son, she has a talent for swordsmanship, but she has no attachments to the sword, so she suddenly left the kingdom one day and started wandering around. If youre lucky enough to meet and become friends, she acts like a wandering merchant who sells you strange items. Shes probably in the empire right now. Violets personality was like that. She wont intervene whether Carpe fell or the empire, so Callius didnt have to worry about her. Thats all you wanted to say? Well, yes. Now that hed received the key to the treasury, Callius wanted to escape this awkward atmosphere as soon as possible, to go see the swords of the previous patriarchs. Just as he grabbed the doorknob C Callius. Turning around, he saw Elburton standing at the widow, looking out. I still have one more thing to say. Then say it. For saving Jervain and the North, you have my sincere thanks. I see. Cheok. Callius hurriedly shut the door and left. Elburton muttered, as if to himself. What do you think? The old man whod been secretly hiding nearby, appeared. The butler of the Jervain family. Nochtel. If we use the heretic inquisitors to turn all the orc corpses into carcasses, we can make a great profit. Assuming seven tenth carcass swords and three tenth life swords, itll come to at least 60,000 gold coins. We cant just sell everything off. If we sell half the carcass swords and leave out the life swords, itll still be over 20,000 gold coins. Its just gold. But its definitely an appropriate amount to patch the insufficiencies of our military power. With that amount of money, it would be possible to repair the broken walls and restore the entire northern estates to some extent. Besides, the life swords would be perfect as rewards for the knights whod been active in this war. Elburtons lips twitched. His wallet had been strapped for money due to the war, but Callius solved the problem with only a few words. Besides, dont we still have the warlords body in good condition? Right. If the warlords body were turned into a carcass C Wouldnt a spirit rank weapon be born? Of course, itd belong to Callius, but he would soon become the Master of the North anyway, so that didnt matter. Lord, no, master, I think you dont need to worry about him anymore. Elburtons stiff expression, which had never relaxed while hed been facing Callius, loosened up in an instant. He still resembles me, though. Hes got my wit. It was like seeing the lord of the past. That power to deal with the orc warlord, and then turning crisis into opportunity to get the maximum benefits. After all, blood will tell in the end. Although Elburtons face was still stoic, Nochtel didnt miss the twitches at the corners of his mouth. Its a little late, but now he looks like a proper Jervain. Nochtel. Yes, my lord? Guide Callius inside the treasury. Because there are some treasures that can be dangerous depending on how you use them. Nochtel was startled. All the treasures in the treasury are ones used by the patriarchs of old. They each have their own stories and accompanying martial arts. If you just blindly choose a weapon overflowing with energy inside Jervains treasure vault, its consciousness might release itself and show you something bizarre and traumatizing. Isnt it tradition that you cant say anything about the treasure house? Theyll all belong to him anyway in the end, so whats the point of that? Nochtels lips twitched. Although the lord pretended to be indifferent, this was bias alright[1]. Very well. The old butler, Nochtel, left the office, no expression on his face. Editors Notes: [1] ?? ??? ?? (lit. arms bent inward), showing bias or nepotism for those close to you. Chapter 61 In front of the Jervain treasure vault. The great stone gates, graven with a splendid sword pattern, stood as if untouched by the long river of time. Jervain of the North, whod participated in the founding of the kingdom. Their history was here. By the way. Youre here to guide me, is it? Yes. In front of the treasury C Callius eyes were fixed on Nochtel, with a complicated gaze as if looking at a problematic opponent. Since the armaments in the treasure room are ancient existences, if somebody without strong mental strength touches them inadvertently, they might end up being devoured. And even among those, there are some treasures that are particularly dangerous, so Ill leave them out when guiding you. His speech was firm and clear, but Callius refused with a single sentence. No need. Youll need it. Cheeky. I said I dont need it. Even so Go away. Master. Originally, there is no precedent for a guide to the treasury. However, the patriarch broke the tradition for your sake. I didnt ask you the reason. Callius looked at Nochtel without speaking further. At the very image of an ordinary, old-fashioned butler. However, he wasnt someone normal. In the first place, how could an outsider guide you through the treasury that contained the history of Jervain? No matter how many years hed lived among the Jervain family, such an outsider was an impossible existence. Therefore, he had to be different from the ordinary image he projected. Youre not of Jervains bloodline, so how do you know about the armaments in the treasury? Thats because Ive been in the North, in the Jervain lands, all my life. Hed been here for his whole lifetime. Even so, did it make sense for a butler to know about the treasure trove of the Jervain patriarchs passed down for generations? The concept itself was absurd. Then when is your next lifetime? What are you talking about? Nochtels eyebrows twitched. Letting out a sly smirk, Callius made a gesture to shoo him away. If you dont want to talk, I dont need your guidance, so just leave. Those aged eyes shone brilliantly in the dark for an instant, but then they calmed down. I see. Please be careful. They disappeared as if it melting into the darkness. So gloomy. After Nochtel disappeared, Callius approached the treasury doors and took out the key. I messed with him for nothing. Nochtel was no ordinary human. Far too thoughtful to be a dragon, far too good to be a demon, far too fragile to be a giant. A being bound by a contract. Even so, a creature superior to a mere human. A fairy. Its not that important right now, so lets think about Nochtel later. Shall we go in first? Cheok. He put the key in but it didnt turn. Hed have been embarrassed if he hadnt known why. As soon as pure divine power was poured in, it spread like the roots of a tree along the groove carved on the door. Drurururuck! With a loud noise, the great doors to the treasury swung open. The torch and the glowstone emitting the light of divine power cleared away the darkness, and finally showed the inside scenery. Its bigger than I thought. It was a new feeling to see the treasure trove he himself had set in real life. A view of a large open space, with magnificent weapons on display at every side. Everything that you could think of. From small rings and artifacts that looked like trinkets, to gauntlets and boots, to full body armour. All the precious weapons used by the previous patriarchs were here. And of course C Even the swords made from their carcasses. There was no vision sword that could rival the Storm Sword C Callis. However, there were definitely spirit swords that could produce powerful strength. Preferring light armament, Callius held a thin armour made of leather and interlinked chains. It was a unique armour with leather on the outside and chainmail on the inside, but it was lightweight and had good elasticity. On one side of the treasury was another beautifully decorated door. It was covered in dust, but once he exerted quite a bit, the door opened with the cracking sound of grinding stones. Again, and again. As he walked deeper, there were no artifacts unlike the outer area, and swords that emanated a feeling of reverence as if holy relics that should be worshipped, began to appear in front of his eyes. The enshrined swords had their names written on the accompanying tombstones. Sixteenth Head, Lokranta von Jervain. The Engulfing Sword, Lokranta. Engulfing Sword C Lokrantas ability is storage. Its a sword that can absorb, store, and use the power of any weapon it collides with. If this sword clashes with the Lightning Sword, for example, it can then use the power of lightning inherent in the Lightning Sword C but only once. Depending on how you use it, its a great sword that can deliver a perfect blow to the enemy. Fourteenth Head, Rickel von Jervain. Ripple Sword C Rickel. A sword that uses the air itself as a medium and delivers rippling waves to strike the enemys insides. Another sword to be coveted. The opponent might even lose his bearings mid-battle because his internal organs become twisted, or his head is clouded just by getting struck with this sword. After that, various swords appeared in Callius front. Thirteenth Head, Chroma von Jervain. Crystal Sword C Chroma. Fine and sharp crystals can grow on its blade, which can be shot. A sword that can attack from range. If struck by its attack, invisible crystal fragments get trapped inside the opponents body, causing pain and internal bleeding. And after that C Twelfth Head, Mahad von Jervain. Silvermoon Sword C Mahad. A sword resembling a silver moon. Tenth Head, Baun von Jervain. Vampire Sword C Baun. There were many great swords. Of course, not all of them were here. Firefly Sword, Pulsating Sword. Glacier Sword, and a few more. There was no sword higher than the spirit rank here. The sword of the first patriarch C Storm Sword C Callis, was already in Elburtons possession. But the second to sixth swords were missing. They mustve been lost in battle, due to the wielders deaths, or taken away by others in the family. Which sword did Violet take away, again? I cant remember. It was a pity that those swords were missing, but the swords already here were also great enough. Depending on their usage, some were even better than the Blue Thunderbolt Sword or the Strong Sword. Callius eyes flicked through several swords, then stopped at one. A sword with a transparent blade, as if made of blue sapphire. Ninth Head, Medea von Jervain. This one. It really stands out. The unique ability of this beautiful sword was not very useful for combat. There were many other swords that were more powerful. Even so, few could compete with it in how useful it would be in the future. For fights, I can take the Lightning Sword or the Predator Sword out of subspace. Even the Strong Sword was mighty enough as long as it could be repaired, so what he needed now was utility. And this was a sword that could be shown in public without hesitation. As long as I have this, passing the heresy interrogation would be a cinch. The reason why hed thought of it from the beginning was because of the heresy interrogation. No matter how much they tried to manipulate the proceedings, it could prove the truth, so thered be no problem. There are a lot of things to do after I become an inquisitor. Crooked officials. Corrupt nobility. In order to root them out and punish them, he needed a suitable sword. The most beautiful sword in the North. And that was the Judgment Sword, known as the cruellest. The unique ability of the Judgment Sword is to discern the truth. The transparent blade can see through the ugly lies of the opponent, so its the perfect implement for uprooting base corruption. For him, right now C There was no other sword more fitting. A new morning had dawned in the North. Callius had been busy since the early hours. Where are you going so early in the morning? Theres a lot to do. In a few days, Dexter, whom hed summoned via a letter, would arrive, and so would the merchants. Itd be convenient to have the urgent matters done with before they arrived. They must be busy making carcasses right now. Are you going to go check on them? Theres nothing wrong with making sure. When the works over, Ill have to accompany them to the Church. As he walked to the front yard of the castle with Bruns trailing behind, the soldiers guarding the gates greeted him in a lively manner. Master Callius! Open the gates. Yes! Are you going to see the carcass ceremony? Let me guide you No need. Just tell me the way. Just keep going east! Open it. Yeah! Open the gates! Drururuck. The pulley turned and the huge gates groaned open. After a short walk, a mountain of bloody corpses greeted them. Theyre doing great. Carve the holy name, chant the name of God, and radiate divine power. Transforming a piece of flesh into a sword harder than steel. Truly, a divine miracle. A power given by God. Are you here? It was Ryburn who greeted Callius. The other captains didnt even look at him. They only continued searching the mountain of corpses. As expected. It was also for this reason why he came to watch them. Even if they became inquisitors, they were still priests of the God, Valtherus. In front of an excellent sword, positions like heretic inquisitor or captain didnt matter. If youre going to have a carcass ceremony anyway, its always better to find a stronger carcass. So they were probably searching for corpses of warlords or great warriors. Idiot. Jervain of the North was no fool. The bodies of the great warriors and the orc general had long since been secured. Pssk. Many have already stopped. Its not easy to borrow the power of God. Even an average pilgrim gets tired after doing it three times a day. Because the ceremony requires quite a lot of divine power. It also requires a lot of concentration, and there are many unfamiliar words to be uttered. Borrowing the power of God is not easy, because it consumes both divine power and mental energy at the same time. I thought it wasnt too difficult? Shut up, Bruns. Yes, yep! Of course, Callius didnt have to. Because of the so-called player privilege. I think it will take a few days. Considering their stamina, it should take about a month. An average pilgrim would be limited to once or twice a day. One person, twice a day. There were four hundred heretic inquisitors. Calculated that way, itd be over in a week, but doing so could put their lives at risk, so the estimate was a month. It wasnt bad. Because there were so many orcs, he couldnt be vulgar enough to hurry them up when they were already working without pay. Its a lot of work. No. Even if they suffered such hardship, they couldnt take home even a single gold coin, so how much dissatisfaction did they suppress inside? But that, too, was not for Callius to know or care about. If we sell about three-tenths of the carcasses, it should come around twenty thousand gold coins. Itd be used to restore the broken walls and destroyed villages. Where would you spend the rest? The rest will be given to the knights, and some will be kept and rented out. Indeed, there are always those who break or lose the sword theyve been given. Ryburn interrupted their conversation. Callius looked at Ryburn with a gloomy look, then turned his gaze away. Not because he got stung by the remark about the broken sword. He just didnt like Ryburn at all. But whats going on here? You probably didnt come to watch us. Did you come to retrieve a sword? Hed already gotten it. The warlords body had been handed over to him by Elburton right away, and was in the subspace right now. It was the body of an orc warlord, so Callius was also looking forward to it, but it wasnt a carcass hed randomly create here. The warlords body would be transformed in a place overflowing with pure divine power C the Holy Land of Fatalite. So he didnt come here to get a sword. I didnt come for a sword. Then why It seems like a waste of manpower for captains to do this kind of menial work. Like using a cow-killing cleaver to slaughter chickens. There were other knives more suitable for that. You should use the cleaver only to slaughter a cow. Do you want to go on a hunt with me? Hunt you mean? Epic Quest Grade C A+ Nip the sprout of the aftermath in the bud. Im thinking of catching a wolf. Callius gaze turned to the inquisitor-captains. To tear out some of the rotten roots of the Heretic Inquisition. Catching the thunder wolf dragon would be the perfect time for that. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 62 Hunting you mean? The war had just ended, but suddenly a hunt came up. Ryburn touched his glasses looking a little puzzled. As far as I know, the orcs and their tamed beasts have eaten up all the demonic beasts nearby. If theres going to be a food shortage in the North, itd be better to talk to our superior when we meet him. Efficient like a true munchkin[1], eh. Munch kin? Ah, nothing. Its not because of the food shortage. Theres another reason. What is it? Because I want to hunt down a demonic beast before it becomes a danger. Itll cause chaos in North someday if I leave it alone. Are you interested? I will listen. However, he wasnt very interested. I see, so its a demonic beast. It was just that level of reaction. It seemed like he was trying to be attentive only because Callius was the eldest son of the Jervain family and its appointed official heir. Callius smirked and threw in a bomb that was sure to change that stoic expression. Have you ever heard of the dragonblooded? Dragonblooded! Ryburns expression changed abruptly. Dragonblooded. A descendant of a draconic bloodline. Be they humans or beasts, those with mixed dragon blood are commonly referred to as the dragonblooded. The dragonblooded, with dragon blood flowing in their veins, are innately wild and ferocious. As well as very powerful. Even if they have just a trace of dragons blood. One menacing a village or two might be reborn as a threat to the whole nation. But theyre valuable. As dangerous as they are, the dragonblooded are still worth a lot. Blood that mixed with the bloodline of the dragons. Horns or claws with draconic heritage. Leather, or even eyes. Draconic by-products are rare, and getting them is difficult like plucking a star from the sky, no matter how much money you have. So naturally there are people who want to own such things, even if they have to pay in billions. So, of course C Are you interested now? Naturally. Its a different story if the prey is a dragonblooded. Even a heretical inquisitor suspicious of him couldnt help but be smitten. Rayburn fixed his glasses and immediately called in the other captains. Hunting? Why all of a sudden? Isnt that too The summoned captains expressed their dissatisfaction at first, but that soon changed with Callius explanation. A dragonblooded beast. Thunder wolf dragon. An adult that had not yet grown up. Their eyes changed completely after hearing the story. Good! No, this is great! Lets go! We can go right now! The corpse ceremony is really boring, and Ive been stuck here for a month, so nows good! This place originally lacked all kinds of entertainment. The third squad commander C Orcal, was understandably dissatisfied. Lets go! With child-like innocence, he stomped his feet, saying lets go. Are you sure? If its a dragonblooded, it wouldnt be a normal beast. Its not impossible that it might hide or run away, so itll be a waste of time if you dont have reliable information. The captain of the sixth squad C Druma, was still suspicious. The information is certain. Because the quest was already out. I cant tell you the source. If youre really in doubt, you can just stay here. Right? Yeah, Druma, you stay here! Ryburn and I will go with Sir Callius. No, if youre that sure, Ill trust you too. What a quick about-face. Druma, the Silent. Callius almost let out a laugh at that change of attitude that didnt fit his moniker. The orc corpses would be dealt with in about a month. The sooner you prepare for the hunt, the better. Right now is fine. I plan to prepare thoroughly. The thunder wolf dragon isnt an easy opponent, and I want to do my best. But C If you want to leave right away, I wont stop you. If you find and catch it first, the share is all yours. I have to prepare, so Ill leave in three days. Lets all go by ourselves. Because were all going to the same place, anyway. Then, where is the thunder wolf dragon now? Although the orcs have run roughshod all over the North, theres a forest they havent touched, a fair way away. There were three famous forests in the North. The White Forest beyond its borders. The Sinking Forest, thatd given Callius a hard time. Lastly, although not large in size, the third and gloomiest one. The Black Forest. It was there. While Callius was setting out to hunt C Elburton was startled by Nochtels report. You mean that Judgment Sword? Yes. Is it that sword after all? Yes, he absolutely did not need any guidance, and he still chose that sword. Nochtel sympathized with Elburtons stiff expression. Because that sword wasnt very durable. Did anything change with Callius afterwards? Paranoia, for example. I havent seen any signs yet. Elburton, pressing his back onto the chair, recalled the contents of the documents passed down to the successive family heads. Medea was a great person. But she died of treachery. It was no honourable death. Im worried that the swords consciousness might harm Callius. Thats why hed instructed Nochtel. To steer Callius away from it. Was he just being stupid, or did have other ideas? Elburton had no way to know. But it was already irreversible. If such was his choice, that too was fate. Why is a spirit sword called a spirit sword? Heres your chance to feel that clearly, kid. A cavern with strange letters inscribed on its walls. A place swimming in divine power, the energy so dense that it shimmered with a soft gleam. It was Fatalites sacred sanctuary. There, Callius calmly sat and held a sword in both hands. One hand on the blade. The other grabbed the hilt and poured in the pure divine power that swirled all around. Judgment Sword C Medea Grade C Spirit Infused Soul C Medea von Jervain Unique Ability C Discernment of Lies The ninth Jervain family head. Medea von Jervain. Despite being born a woman, she had been a great knight, a Lord of the North whod toiled for the lands prosperity. After her death, she became a sword as beautiful as her appearance had been in life. A sword made of an indescribably transparent material. Even so, the blade was sharp enough to cleave through steel like butter, and firm enough to not break even when struck with a rock. However, now C Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh! That beautiful sword was screaming. Its the price you pay for daring to mess with me. A few days ago. The woman who had become the core of the Judgment Sword C Medea von Jervains consciousness had been seeping into Callius head. It wasnt that much of a concern. It was only to the extent that her bitter feelings and fragmented memories were secretly seeping into his dreams. Swords that have been used as carcasses for a long time have feelings of regret. Especially if its a spirit sword. The original meaning of spirit sword. An awakened soul. It meant that the sword had awakened a soul. Originally, the more he used the sword, the more her thoughts would mesh into him, and he wouldve had to suffer quite a bit, but this time itd been a bad match-up. Its not called purification for nothing. Theyve left it alone for so long because shed been a family head. Callius didnt care, though. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhh! The scream resounded bizarrely, as if the voice was ethereal. A womans scream resounding in a cave was already strange. Hearing it coming from the sword made the scene even more horrifying, but it was now all over. Because it was a sacred realm. There was no room for ominous thoughts in this holy place, the seat of the stone statue of Fatalite. Is it done now? The thoughts that had been bothering him in his head were gone. It mustve been because Medea von Jervains remnant thoughts thatd remained in the Judgment Sword had disappeared. That didnt mean her soul was gone, though. There was nothing to worry about since only the unclean energy had been purified. Originally, I thought itd take quite a while but this is a sacred place after all. At least a week. At most, it might have taken several years. However, when she was given the pure divine power of Fatalites sanctuary, those latent thoughts disappeared as cleanly as snow melting in the sun. Theres no lack of seeds either, so things are going pretty well. Alright. The flower he had planted here before, called Tear of Valtherus, had borne fruit. If left alone, it would naturally germinate and multiply. It had been an excellent choice to plant the flower here in Fatalites sanctuary. But if there was one regret C It will take a while. It would take time for the flower to bloom again. That was only natural, but not having any access to holy water hurt a bit. The holy water of Valtherus was a cheat that was almost equivalent to having an extra life. Itd been super effective so far, so not having any more was very disappointing. After the succession is formalized, Ill have to leave the North for a while. The first priority was to find out how to purify the trolls blood. Hed tried to do it using the holy power of the sanctuary, but without success. Maybe a good spirit crafter might be able to help. The Church is based in the kingdoms capital. There had to be many talented enchanters there. If not, it wouldnt be a bad idea to meet Sullivian, who was famous for being the top spirit crafter in the whole of Carpe. If her life hasnt come to an end by now, that is. Since he hadnt heard about Esther yet, she most like hadnt passed away. Because the day she died would also be the day that a new vision sword would be born in the kingdom. Then, all thats left is this guy. The Judgment Sword has a separate use. Its a sword useful for different purposes, to clarify or make certain a cause. However, its not very useful for battlefields, or for small-scale melee fights that straddle the line of life and death. Theres no reason not to use it, but theres no merit in using it either. The unique ability of the Judgment Sword is the discernment of lies. Theres one other additional ability, but its not useful in battle. So, before hunting the thunder wolf dragon C Callius had come to the sanctuary. It was also for the purpose of purifying the Judgment Sword, but that was secondary. The real purpose was this C The wretched corpse of a warrior laid in front of Callius. It was the body of the orc warlord. The most important component of the carcass ritual is the body being sacrificed. However, theres an additional, essential element. The casters divine power. The quality of the sword would subtly differ based on the purity of spirit and the sincerity of devotion. The carcasses of the successive patriarchs of the North are at about the level of the Churchs bishops. Callis von Jervain, the first head of the family, was famous for his body having been smelted by the pope of that era after praying for a hundred days. That much was impossible, but Callius was still looking forward to transforming the orc generals corpse here in the sacred land. Its not some great warrior, its the warchief himself. If Callius did well, might a vision sword come out? Of course not. A spirit sword was his Maginot Line. However, even among spirit swords, there were differences in class. Realistically, he didnt think a vision sword was in the cards. For a vision sword to appear, the influence and potential possessed by the victim had to be top-notch. Considering the circumstances C The warchief hadnt been at that level. But what about a top-notch spirit sword? Its worth looking forward to. One whod plunged the North into chaos. A warchief whod united several orc tribes into a single corps for his invasion. Hadnt he also trod a half-step into the Masters realm? Without Elburton weakening him in advance, without the help of the Strong Sword and the Storm Sword, and without the cheat characteristics called Death Verse Composition as well as Bernards sacrifice, the orc general had been an opponent Callius couldve never dreamed of defeating. So, his expectations were only reasonable. With reverence Calm your mind, clear as a mirror and still as water. There was no other emotion in the grey eyes that slowly opened. Eliminate personal feelings, focus only on the image of the warchiefs corpse turning into a sword, and call on God. O God. O great God of the Sword. I offer to you the flesh of this foolish heretic. Please embrace him in Your arms. Let the lost twilight become the rising dawn, so we can repent of our sins. This handful of rust shall be Your libation. Rise. O new sword of God. Editors Notes: [1] ??? (lit. efficient insect) C similar to the EN gaming slang munchkin, one who minmaxes beyond all rules and reason to pursue extreme efficiency in gameplay. Chapter 63 The body crumbled upwards, as if made of ashes. The pieces floating up into the air condensed into a single form, illuminated by a deep silvery light. Ive got a good feeling. Pure divine power suffused its entirety. Until its aura started surging, like a storm. The intense wind swept his bangs and stung his eyes, but Callius still didnt avert his eyes from the scene for a single second. During the three days hes spent inside the sanctuary, whenever hed had a chance, hed gathered the sacred power of the sanctuary and poured it into the corpse of the warlord. Thats why this carcass transformation was giving such a dazzling reaction. The sword floated in the air, covered with an intense glow. Without hesitation, Callius grabbed the sword wrapped in silver light from the air. Cheok. The silvery divine power flew away like a startled butterfly, and a graceful sword lay revealed. The sword was longer than average. Although, not as long as the Strong Sword. Despite being double-edged, it was small enough to be wielded single-handed. The weight and grip werent bad at all. It was a longsword with a good balance. The stylish pommel clashed a bit with the simple pattern engraved on the sword, but it still had its own charm. Its worth my anticipation. A subtle red hue drifted across the blade. The red, slightly dull. Unfortunately, the warlords carcass was only a spirit sword. However, the bizarrely winding pattern that resembled a flame looked pretty cool. Its said that the more complex the pattern on a sword, the higher its rank. Tyrant Sword C Karaktu Grade C Spirit Infused Soul C Karaktu Unique Ability C Gravity The attached modifier was Tyrant[1]. And the unique ability was Gravity!! Lets try out infusing gravity into the spirit sword. Calliuss face was so filled with joy that it was almost bursting. The Tyrant Sword, huh. Lets see if its ability matches up to its grand name. Callius, running out of the sanctuary like an excited child, paused for a moment while holding the sword. Cutting the palm of his hand with the Tyrant Sword C Karaktu, he bled a few drops. C Krrr. The scavengers of the abyss began to gather. Red eyes appeared one by one, glinting in the darkness, and viscous saliva began to drip on the ground at the smell of blood exposed to the air. Loups-garous. And many other nameless beasts. Only a few drops of blood were spilled, but they were already flocking in droves. It was probably because Callius was wearing Vivis Bracelet, so his presence felt weak from the outside. All these creatures who wouldnt have even dared come close if they could feel his true aura, now came rushing in. The so-called scavengers of the abyss. Ten, twenty, thirty. Soon, over forty heads had gathered. Normally, Callius wouldve frowned at these annoyances, but not now. They were here for him to test the swords performance. Come. Soon, the silver glow of divine power enveloped Callius form. The Tyrant Sword flashed. KuuungC!! And the space around him collapsed. Thump. Is that you? Yeah. Seeing Callius expression as he walked out of the Sinking Forest, Bruns tilted his head as he followed. Did something good happen? Yeah. Something really good. Bruns was surprised to see Callius lips curving at the corners. It was rare for Callius to be so happy, so he wondered what it was about. Whats going on? Didnt you say you were going to the bottom of the Sinking Forest Do you have a lover hidden there? Bruns. Yes, master? How are you still alive? How am I supposed to answer if you suddenly ask something like that You somehow managed to survive the war. Isnt it all because of masters teachings? And the sword you gave me. Did he still keep that? Callius had given Bruns a dagger he didnt need while fighting the orcs, but it now sparkled in the sunlight as if well cared for. Youre more suited to fist arts than blades. Hehehe, when I was young, with these fists? I even caught a beauty. So youre a sex offender? What, course not! I beat a bastard who was acting like shit! When the beauty thanked me, well, why not thank me with your body! Back then, I thought I was pretty cool. Youll regret it, is that okay? Thats what she said. So how did it go? That, of course hehe. Seeing that sinister smile, it had to be a story that would only rot his ears if he heard it. How unlucky. There was something wrong with this guy. Anyway, Im not even remotely in your league, master. Can others even compare with your face and your valour? Hey, if I were in your position, the women Id have thrown away by now wouldve been enough to cover Jevarsch. Youre being vulgar, Bruns. Women, huh. Callius remembered his past for a moment. Hed never had any good experience with women in this world. It was always a choice of either to kill them, or to die. When he first set out on his pilgrimage, there were quite a few people whod wanted to kill Callius. There were many men, of course, but women were the majority. As befit the person with the characteristic of the Prodigal Son of the Church, theyd come at him, teeth gnashing, to kill him for whatever hed done to the women of the Church. Didnt even that calm and serene Esther come to kill him? That one time, I almost died from poison. He was welcomed with a meal, refused to eat, was told to at least eat a slice of bread before he left, ate, and almost departed this world as a result. At that time, he had no strength and didnt know how cruel the world was, and he really wouldve died without her help. I wonder what shes doing right now. When all those women had been trying to kill him C The only woman whod helped Callius. Hehe, but what was the good thing that happened in the end? Do you want to know? Youll regret it. You arent going to cut me, right? I wont. Then no regrets! Callius drew out his sword. It was the Tyrant Sword C Karaktu. Oh! Did you get a new sword? It looks really powerful Kuh! Bruns, who was about to touch the sword, collapsed to the ground. Cal lius heeok!! I did say youd regret it. Tyrant Sword C Karaktu. Its unique ability is Gravity C manipulating the gravity around Callius in a 10-meter radius. Manipulation series swords are rare. For example, the Blue Thunderbolt Sword is an elemental series. Just because the sword shoots lightning doesnt mean the lightning it shoots can be controlled. However, swords of the manipulation series are different. Had the intrinsic ability of the Tyrant Sword been lightning, since it was of the manipulation series, it wouldve been able to freely control the thunderbolts coming down from the sky. Of course, a real lightning attribute manipulation series sword would only be usable on a stormy day. Unlike the elemental series, manipulation series weapons cannot create what they control. Therefore, this manipulation series sword with gravity attribute was bound to be a rare item. Because gravity was omnipresent. Isnt that a great sword, then?! But there are downsides, too. Really? Like what? The downside is that this is a spirit sword. It was indeed a good sword. However, the fatal flaw of this sword was that it was spirit-ranked. Had it been a vision sword, Callius wouldnt have called it a weakness. Its spirit-ranked, but its unique ability and type is like a vision sword. Therefore, inevitably, its powerful abilities were restricted in usage. First, of course, the consumption of divine power was enormous. But that was only natural, and there wouldnt usually be a problem with using it when he needed it, since power was stored in the bracelet. The main problem C Gravity is weaker than expected. The narrow range of operation could be ignored. But the feeble strength could not. Is this weak? You just have a little bit more trained body than average. Youd already be dead if youd ever faced somebody with proper skills. Huh?! Is that how much you cherish me?! Bruns was in great shock. But Callius didnt care about it. Why is it called the Tyrant Sword? Its ability wasnt enough to be called that when clashing with knights of the same rank. Tyrant It was something to consider. But then, master What? Why were you in such a good mood? The story so far didnt make it sound like that much of a good thing. How unbearable. That the sword made from the corpse of the warlord, an enemy defeated with such herculean effort, had such paltry abilities. It was more natural to be angry. However, Callius expression coming out of the forest had been on the good side. Thats why Bruns had asked. Had that been the only ability of the Tyrant Sword, youd be right. When used on the scavengers of the abyss C At first, hed been terribly disappointed. However, when hed swung the sword with attached gravity at those whod rushed at him C Callius had been filled with joy. Tyrant Sword. Surprisingly, this sword was able to manipulate the gravity of anybody it cut. Even for a trivial wound, as long as the sword had cut it open, the gravity of the wounded area would be under Callius control. Of course, there was a limit to the strength of gravity. In a close battle, if your arms or legs grow heavy for even a moment, youd usually be surprised. And surprise in battle is death. It wasnt bad. No, rather, it was great. What if he used this sword alongside Raging Flower Wave? What about White Haze? If he just created some very minor wounds, the opponents body would become several times heavier, and the longer the fight, the more inevitable would his victory be. If you want, Ill show you. Its fine, its fine! No, you have to experience for yourself to know how great this sword is Just when Callius was about to slash at Bruns leg with his sword C M-, master!! Someone over there! Callius was also startled by Bruns hasty shout, and stared at the person standing under the shade of the tree. Callius. Long time no see. Who are you? Because they stood under the shade of the trees, their face couldnt be seen properly. Have you forgotten me already? Thats so sad. Even though you owe me so much. Owe you? Callius brows furrowed at the word. And then a small groan escaped his throat. Ah. The woman stepped out of the shade, her hair glistening in the sunlight. Hair the red of vintage wine. Tied in a graceful half-braid. Light armour, and a pair of crossed swords on her back. Helena. Im here to collect what you owe me, Callius. Pilgrim Helena. The daughter of the Bolivian family, who would one day sacrifice all her wealth and her sword on the altar of Carpe, until her final end on the path of ruin. Helena de Bolivian. Three years ago C The woman whod rescued Callius and had gotten fleeced of her money in return, had now come back to him on her own two feet. Editors Notes: [1] ?? (paehwang, lit. sledgehammer) is being used, we think, to refer to Ի (Chinese, ba huang, lit. tyrant emperor). Chapter 64 Helena de Bolivian. Whats with you, Callius? She tilted her head and asked, looking coquettish. But I knew. It was all just camouflage. Controlling your appearance and expression is the basics of being a merchant. As one born into a merchant family who became a pilgrim, her life hadnt been easy either. But C Why are you here? The issue was C Why was Helena in the North? Because I was called to the North, of course? You? Yes. Didnt you know? The Lord of the North himself requested our family. Elburton did? Thats weird. Among so many options, he called the Bolivian Merchant Group C and Helena in particular. Why is that so surprising? Our Bolivian Merchant Group pays the best prices for demonic beast corpses and byproducts, so the Lord of the North called us, isnt it? Is that so? I see. Im still unfamiliar with the political landscape of the kingdom. I already knew that the Bolivian family had a promising future as merchants, but I hadnt expected them to already have such high reputation. Yeah. Whod be crazy enough to come to this cold North otherwise. Helenas nose and cheeks were splotched with red, as if she wasnt used to the cold. Behind her stood a blunt-looking man who looked to be her age, but judging by his outfit, he seemed to be a servant or a family retainer. He had a sword wrapped around his waist. His sunken gaze was quite annoying. Callius. Is this how you treat your guests in the North? Leave them out here in the cold? You were the one waiting for me outside. Because its been a few days already since you came back, but I havent seen your hide nor hair! Why are you mad? Whos mad? Dont be ridiculous. What the hell! Seeing Helena walking to the castle, sniffling, Bruns whispered quietly. That cheeky bitch. How dare she act so disrespectful! Bruns. Yes! Master. Should I go take care of her right now? You know, this one time in the back alleys of Tristar, I ended up making a couple piss themselves with just my words Shut up that vulgar mouth of yours. Bruns lips curved down at once. And, its not something you can do anything about. Helena was not just some daughter of a merchant family. She was somebody whod already finished her pilgrimage. Such a pilgrim C Who has completed their pilgrimage, turning the rosario into a sheath, is called a paladin. You saw those twin swords at her back? Oh, yeah? A pilgrims rosario becomes a scabbard once they complete their pilgrimage. Even I would hesitate to fight a paladin like that. Perhaps quite surprised at my answer, Bruns asked with wide eyes. Are you saying that shes strong enough that even you dont want to fight her, master? I didnt grace him with a response. She was indeed strong. A rosario transforming into a scabbard means that it has already become one with the sword. Theres no point fighting a paladin whos become one with their sword, assimilating its unique abilities, for no reason. If I put the Blue Thunderbolt Sword into the rosario, for example. Id gain the unique ability of the Blue Thunderbolt Sword. Id be able to spit out thunderbolts from my whole body without having to unsheathe my sword. The divine energy contained in the rosary, and the swordsmans blood and soul, would make it possible. Unity of Body and Sword (턦һ). It means to blend the swords awakened soul and your own soul into one. So, you can freely use the swords power as if it were your own. Of course, the Blue Thunderbolt Sword is useless as an example, because its a demon sword that already has a scabbard. Because its already got a mixed soul. The same goes for the Predator Sword and the Strong Sword. Judgment Sword was an option, but there was no need for it. The Tyrant Sword that I got this time If I make a scabbard of the Tyrant Sword C Id have the ability to freely manipulate gravity, and itd be significantly stronger. But one rosario lasts a lifetime. There can be no second time, because its created with the loss of your own soul. The Thunderbolt Sword is definitely a good choice, but It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I didnt want to waste that opportunity on a spirit sword. Shouldnt it be a vision sword at least? Anything less would simply be a waste of such a rare opportunity. Master, do you know her swords ability by any chance? Helenas swords were a pair, so it wasnt easy to forget. Her unique ability was also similarly rare. Categorized as a trait C Snakes and Shadows. A dining hall inside the citadel. Elburton and Helena are dining together, discussing the trade between Jervain and Bolivian. And I am a tagalong. I didnt know that you two knew each other. There was a slight relationship. When he was just starting out on his pilgrimage. Lord God had set a number of ordeals in his path. Ordeals, my foot. Is that what you call people rushing out in droves, frothing at the mouth to kill you? Those bastards simply didnt know their place. Still, if it werent for my help at the time, Master Callius wouldve been in quite a pickle. That isnt incorrect. Dying wouldve been a lucky break. Or I mightve ended up being caught and imprisoned by one of those crazy bitches. So you are my sons benefactor. No, no. It was all Gods will. Its said that Gods blessings come only if you dont waste your breath asking for it. Callius. Isnt your good fortune of meeting me, simply the result of all your hard work and tireless effort? How flashy. In the end, theyre just words without substance, talking herself up as a lucky charm. But. Even knowing that, Elburton somehow isnt repulsed at all. His eyes are full of interest. Lady Helena. Do you have a fianc? Yes? This crazy old gentleman. Are you trying to buy her and lock her into a birdcage? No, but I see. I asked because a young man and a woman naturally complete each other. Im glad. Glad, what do you mean? He puts down the tableware and continues, as if his words are completely natural. Callius. You are now twenty-six, too. The Lord of the North must also consider heirs. Of course, its still not too late. Were you talking about me, not yourself? I misunderstood. Where would I find a young woman willing to deal with a guy like me? The kingdoms greatest fool, the prodigal son of the Order. Thats who Jervains eldest son is. Whos going to earnestly consider such a match? Callius. Your last name is Jervain. If you make up your mind and search for marriage partners, its not impossible. Its not wrong. One of the four noble founding families of Carpe. Arent the four noble families the epitome of aristocracy, with the grace of God in their bodies? Among them, the Shield of Carpe, standing unbroken for nearly a millenium while firmly holding on to the northern lands C The Pillar of Carpe, is Jervain. There must be no shortage of young women whod marry into the family for political purposes. One quiet word from Elburton, and nobles would no doubt line up to sell me their daughters. Thats how high Jervain stands. But. Im not doing that. But marry those women? Nonsense. Im so busy trying to save my own life, and a marriage on top of that? I cant afford such luxury. I see. If theres a woman already in your heart, you can wait a little. There is no such woman. There isnt. Besides, I already have Emily. I dont want to complicate things, and I dont want to make her worry about anything. I dont want to show any more of my ugly side to a child who cant even call her father, father. I heard you, Lady Helena. You said you saved Callius life. Yes? Oh, that was just a coincidence Its common for a man to fall for the woman who saved his life. A vein bulges on my forehead. Its a conversational style that makes you understand why Callius became such a bastard. I consider smashing the table, but Whoa. Parallel to my thoughts, my hands have already flipped the long rectangular table over. The table is midway through its flip, dishes and food tossed into the air. Kadadadang! Ah, so Ive already smashed it. Damn! As the table slams against the wall with a crack, the waiting knights and attendants jump in amazement. People blinking their wide eyes, nonplussed. Im feeling just as absurd as them, though. But I still keep my composure. Wipe my lips with a napkin. Then get up and throw it away. What do you think youre doing, in front of our guest! Ive already done it, though. Somehow I got angry without even realizing it. So its better to just lay it out straight. Ive already given you a wonderful granddaughter named Emily. Theres no need to think about getting married. ! Elburton probably didnt know. The fact that I know. Stop treating your own granddaughter like a stranger. No more. Dont make a kid keep that kind of a secret. After all the commotion subsided. Rumours seemed to have spread within the Jevarsch Fortress. Spread quite quickly at that. Really? No wonder. Master Callius loves her so much. Certainly. I often see Master Callius coaching Miss Emily in a spar. But to think she was his daughter The pair talking were Allen and Aaron, of course. Come to think of it, they look alike. Because she resembles Master Callius appearance, Miss Emily also looks very noble. I really didnt know. I was shocked. This time it was Jack and Orphin. And the rest of the knights, too. The fact that Emilys birth father was actually Callius, spread like wildfire. Did you find out? Yeah. Jervains servants seal their lips tight, though. So? Who is this Emily? Helena and Alfredo walked into the backyard of the castle. There was a child fighting alone with the knights of Jervain. Ashen grey eyes, the symbol of Jervain. And short black hair. Is that girl Callius daughter? Isnt she too big? She must be around fourteen. They say shes twelve years old. What!? Only twelve years old? Twelve years old, and shes fighting with the knights? Shes fighting really well, too She had a decent level of skill. It wasnt the swordsmanship of a twelve-year-old brat. It was practical, and there was still some unneeded clutter, but her cuts were clean. Not only did her swordsmanship not match her years, but her body itself had grown beyond being called a small child. Emily von Jervain was a child who appeared out of the blue about ten years ago. Abandoned in front of the castle gates, they say. Abandoned children were common in this day and age. But what if the childs eyes are gray? The inhabitants of the North werent ignorant enough to avoid looking a weeping babe in the eyes. I thought somehow an illegitimate child of the family head had appeared, but looking at the various stories, it seems thats not the case. Is she really Callius daughter? Im not sure, but isnt it possible? Thats what he said. More than anyone else, he said so. So it had to be true. Huh well. The word prodigal didnt come out for nothing. Who is the other party? Well, I cant be sure. Because there were a lot of young girls who would be a possibility. But is it really? Callius has a younger sister. Could it be that persons daughter? It was known that Callius younger sibling had left for the Church a long time ago and never came back. Its not that I havent thought about it, but shes too young to be involved in a decade-old incident. Callius younger sister C Violet, had a bit of a wide age gap with her brother, so it was an impossible story. They say that the child named Emily originally had a blockage in her divine blood. Really? But somehow it got fixed, and she suddenly rose to prominence during the war. And behind that C They say its Master Callius who did it. Its amazing, really. This information is quite valuable. I know. But it was surprising. Did he grow up after having a child? I never knew hed be so sensitive to the mention of marriage. For a family like Jervain C A few bastards are nothing noteworthy. But, for the sake of his daughter, Callius grew so angry. How unexpectedly domestic. Are you interested? Nah. Hes handsome and good eye candy, but not the best marriage material. Due to this war, Master Callius reputation has spread throughout the North. He isnt being called a hero for no reason. He isnt bad as a marriage partner, because the title succession is already in progress. If you marry Master Callius, youll become the Lady of the North. The Lady of the North. Even for Helena, that title held a fatal attraction. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 65 The news that Miss Emily is masters daughter has spread far and wide. Is that so Despite Bruns words, Callius was quietly preparing to go out. He was in the process of putting on his armour, made of lightweight leather. Although it appeared modest at first glance, because it was Callius wearing it, he still looked like a highborn aristocrat. It was an artifact taken from the treasury. Enos Light Chainmail[1]. The chains were sewed inside the armour, making it sturdy yet light. Callius swordsmanship emphasized the swift sword style, mixed with unpredictable changes. So he wasnt fond of heavy plate armour. He usually made do with simple leather armour, but this time hed found a suitable armour in the treasure vault and brought it out. It was light and didnt restrict his movements, yet surprisingly sturdy and resistant to various types of damage. Why so, was clear. The enos were a species of demonic beasts. The chains sewed into the armour were made by harvesting the hard mineral growths on their backs. The leather was also from the enos, hence the artifact was called Enos Light Chainmail. Callius had already confirmed that normal carcass swords couldnt even leave a scratch on it. At least his injuries wouldnt be as serious as before from now on. Are you alright? Its none of your business. Emily was his daughter in truth, so it didnt matter if that fact was revealed. Hed just never found the right timing to reveal it himself. People will start approaching Miss Emily. Shes a smart kid. She can take care of herself. Even if they approached C They wouldnt dare do her any harm. Was she not the daughter of the future Lord of the North? Of course, there would be some with bad intentions. Elburton will take care of it. Emily was his granddaughter. There was nothing about the child that might make him unhappy. Unlike Callius himself, shed thrive under his shadow. Arent you going to meet her at least? Itll happen in its own time. Although he said that, the word father from his daughter was still very awkward to hear. At least everybody knows shes my daughter, so theres that. The child was no longer forced to keep her lips sealed and could openly call her father, father, so that had to be enough for now. Callius was the heir to the North, and in time, he would become its master. Shed lived such a hard life so far, wouldnt it better to live in a bit more comfort? Oh, one more thing. What? As he finished putting the armour on, Callius grasped at the empty air and took out a cloak. His favourite, the Cloak of Twilight. Wearing it on top of the armour gave him the image of a fashionable knight. You said the arrangements about Rivan and Rinney were being entrusted to you. Well. Theyve been handed over to me, yeah. Arrangements. The arrangements about the son and daughter of a traitor. Slowly, all these troublesome things were being thrown his way. What would my knights think? It seemed that Elburton was trying hard to educate his successor. What a bother. What are you going to do? Callius didnt know about Rivan, but Rinney would grow into an excellent knight. She would not only become a strong guardian of the North, if nurtured properly, she might rise even higher. Because Rinneys eyes were special. Theres nothing to arrange. Just leave them alone. Of course, their lives would now be different from before. As the children of a traitor, theyd have to suffer through innumerable glares from their surroundings. But even so, there was no reason for Callius to help. This was an obstacle theyd have to overcome on their own. Did you prepare a forge? Yeah. Dexter might die of happiness if he sees it. Its better than that place hes got at Tristar. Callius was leaving the broken sword behind. Dexter would take care of reforging, repairing, or whatever else was needed once he arrived. Of course, having it repaired would be nice, but if that wasnt possible, Callius would just have to live with that. Even without the Strong Sword, he had many others, so it was enough to just find another good sword again. Starting from spirit swords, they dont disappear even if they break, so its feasible to break one up and make an artifact. Callius already had four swords in hand. The more swords, naturally the better, but he didnt have too urgent a need at the moment. It was a completely different mindset from when hed been lugging a single life sword around. Hmm. Callius took out all four swords from subspace. Two swords had their own scabbards. The other two, did not. Predator Sword C Loas. Thunderbolt Sword C Rakan. Judgment Sword C Medea. Tyrant Sword C Karaktu. Just looking at them made one feel satisfied. After contemplating for a moment, Callius tore out some fabric from the subspace and wrapped it around both the Judgment Sword and the Thunderbolt Sword. Hanging the two of them in the notches on the belt at his waist, he put all the prepared food and items into the subspace. Im ready. Its sad if youve got nothing to do. With the advent of subspace, the need for a porter had disappeared. Bruns was sad as a result, but that was none of Callius business. Stop spouting nonsense and start. We have a long way to go. Hed already spent more time than expected. Itd been a few days since Helenas arrival. A short succession ceremony had already been held. Usually, the succession ceremony of an aristocratic title of the Carpe Kingdom required an audience with the king, but the four great noble titles were somewhat special. And the one in the North, even more so. Since the northern lands had sovereignty similar to an independent state, the title succession did not require anyone elses permission. Everything in the North belongs to Jervain. True to the saying, the succession ceremony for the counts title had been held in a short and quick manner by the Jervain family. Since the signed paperwork had also been sent to the capital, Callius was now a count. Should I call you count now, instead of master? Do whatever you feel comfortable with. A job was just a job. Hed indeed inherited the title, but he had no desire to rule the North yet. Therefore, hed merely inherited the title. He didnt complete the formalities of succeeding as the patriarch. Itd taken him quite a while to convince Elburton, but hed gotten the title in the end. Now even if he went to the Church, they wouldnt bother him with an interrogation. Even for somebody working as a heretic inquisitor, a count title conferred many advantages. Should I bring a carriage? No, Ill ride a horse. He now had the Saddle of Humasys. So Callius didnt fear horseback riding anymore. The road to the Black Forest was pretty bumpy, so a horse was a better choice than a carriage. Callius moved towards the stable inside the castle, which housed horses that were famously picky. It snowed a lot in the North, so it was a place full of woolly dogs, but horses still had their place. Because horses symbolized knights. As they entered the stable, the stablemaster came out and politely bowed his head. Hmm, lets go with that one. Callius picked one suitably modest horse. Nothing special showed up under the Tricolour Eye. It was all blue. Ill prepare it. Use this for the saddle. Yes? Its only for my own use. Oh, yes. I see. While they waited for the horse to be ready C A read-headed woman fluttered close, pretending to be friendly. Youre going hunting? How did you know? Ive got sharp ears. Bullshit. Rather, all the shadows within the reach of her sword became her ears. Such was the ability of Helenas sword. Are you going to follow me? Is that alright? It doesnt matter. After all, after the hunt finished, hed have to dispose of the corpse and materials of the thunder wolf dragon. Helena would just be able to buy it from him. But are you going to be fine? I said its fine. No, I mean, you cant ride horses. Callius was startled, but only for a moment. He didnt lose his composure. Its a thing of the past. Youre famous for it. The eldest son of a great noble house, famous for swordsmanship, who cant ride a horse. Its not common. Ignoring Helenas teasing, Callius took the reins of the horse thatd been prepared. He put one foot on the stirrup. Before going up, he took a deep breath. It was a tense moment. Its just a horse, whatre you so nervous about? Ignoring her ridicule, he hauled himself up on the horse with a hiyaaah! It raised its front legs up for a moment, but Callius riding skills had already improved. This kind of a small kick was laughable to him now. Hey, woah. He grabbed the reins tight and calmed the horse down, keeping his balance. He was sweating a little because of his fear of falling off, but the operation was a success. As he smiled softly, Helena laughed, saying that he looked cute when he was proud. This woman sucked. You dont have to follow me to the hunt. Did you get upset? Youd better see a doctor. Those kinds of thoughts might be a symptom of some mental illness. Helena waved away his savage words with a peal of laughter. What a bleak tone. Arent going to the Church after the hunt anyway? Im going the same way, so lets go together. I came all the way to the North, how can I just run back to work? Im not a native, so some sightseeing would be nice. As you please, then. Tugging at the reins, Callius moved towards the castle gates. Along the way, the residents bowed their heads toward Callius when they saw him. The children rudely waved their hands, but Callius simply ignored them. Its surprising. What do you mean? A noble should draw his sword and educate the lower classes when they behave as rudely as those children. Didnt you try to teach me that? Thats a thing of the past. They say people change only when theyre about to die. You arent sick or anything, right? If youre going to keep chattering uselessly, just leave. Ah. See, that kid over there. Callius glanced at the direction Helena was looking. Among the gathered crowd C A familiar girl appeared. Hey, hey. Its your daughter. You didnt even go see her, did you? Even though youre leaving today and wont be back for a while. Youd be better off without that rat-like hobby of eavesdropping. Calling a lady a rat youre way too harsh. Leaving behind the grumbling Helena C Callius neared Emily who was staring at him. Emily had a sword in her hand. The sword that Callius had given her. Life Sword C Lucen. Should he say something? Wave his hand, perhaps? But he did neither. It still felt awkward, and he didnt know what to say. That was then C Emily surged out of the crowd. The silver glow of divine power enveloped her as she swung her sword at Callius. TaeeengC! It was a sudden surprise. However, Callius calmly received Emilys sword. The startled horse again kicked up its forelegs and made a fuss, but Callius didnt fall off. What are you doing? She was indeed Callius daughter. Her actions so closely resembled his. If youre going, you couldve just told me. Why didnt you? Once again, she raised her sword overhead and charged. Emily, jumping up to his own height with a single bound, struck at Callius neck. A sword so sophisticated and changeable that one couldnt even think of it as a childs. Within that one leap, she swung the tip of the sword into four consecutive attacks. Swift, and changeable. Already at this level? After seeing Callius swordsmanship, her skill had risen. A sword continuously advancing yet comingling with countless transformations. It was Callius own swordsmanship. To Emilys attack, Callius, on the contrary, responded straightforwardly. A simple block and a simple stab. The simple yet heavy response stopped Emilys blade cold. The battle spanned this single exchange. The gathered crowd were first surprised by the childs swordsmanship, and then even more by the calm swordsmanship of Callius in receiving it. They completely forgot the fact that a pair of father and daughter were wielding their swords against each other, and their eyes were drawn instead to the dance of swords being performed. Despite Emilys repeated attacks, Callius blocked and countered with minimal movements. When he precisely hit Lucens centre, Emily fell back from the air and landed. Silence lingered in the empty space between the two. Take it. Teok. What? Its a sacred stone. Take it. Next time I see you, Ill give you a new sword. The sword Ive got is enough. Is that so? Silence fell again between the two. Callius just looked down at Emily, and Emily lowered her sword and looked up at him. Then Emily, spoke first. When are you coming back? When the time comes. Okay. The words they exchanged felt far too bleak for a conversation between a father and a daughter, but when Helena looked at the two, the corners of her lips curved up for some reason. So this father and daughter couldnt be honest with other? But the pair of them still somehow looked happy. Why cant you be more honest? You arent coming back anytime soon, so just be a bit more kind and ask her to wait. Hiyaa! Ignoring Helena again, Callius tugged at the reins. Editors Notes: [1] ?? ?? (lit. chain light armour). This is usually an oxymoron, because medieval chainmail C made by sewing metal chains on top of leather armour C is not light armour but rather medium armour. The text emphasizes this is a leather armour, with chains hidden inside the leather. Hence calling it light chainmail. Chapter 66 Snow is an inalienable part of the northern lands. It keeps piling up on the fields and the mountains all year round, no matter the season. Except for a single place. The only place in the North thats without this northern characteristic. The Black Forest. Even if it snows within the forest, snow doesnt pile up and cover the earth. The dark and dense overgrowth of trees instead exudes a sultry atmosphere. Even in broad daylight, the insides of the forest remain very dark. The trees here are strangely small yet warm, so even if snowflakes fall, they melt quickly. Therefore, the Black Forest is the only place in the North not covered in white snow. And inside such a forest C Callius looked at Helena and asked, smirking. I see. Helena. Are you saying you want to marry me? What, what are you even saying! Who wants to marry you! Whod be crazy enough to marry the kingdoms biggest womanizer! Callius gently sliced ??a steak with his knife and fork. Even that figure resembled some masterwork painting, and Helenas mouth involuntarily curved up at the corners as she watched. What a handsome face. Even when eating with only a knife and a fork in the middle of a shabby forest, the scenery somehow changed to an old-fashioned painting. The ground was dirty and wet with snow, and the forest full of musty and grassy smells, but his very existence pushed all those things to the background. Should I ask what perfume that is? It smells so good Unconsciously, Helena closed her eyes and focused on her sense of smell. A scent like flowers and honey, sweet yet subtle, brushed against her nose. She wished she could keep smelling it forever. Still, marriage isnt on the cards. Unfortunate. The position of the Lady of the North was indeed attractive enough. But she still wouldnt. Then why did you bring up such a thing? I was just saying. Isnt your daughter already twelve? She might get married and have children soon. Then Id become a grandmother. Helena mustve already imagined that non-existent future in her head. I see. What are you actually saying here? Do you want to become a grandmother? Of course not! Then why are you talking like that? Its just a hypothetical! It was just a few words, why did you have to take that as me trying to marry you? So it was just useless chatter. Useless chatter, huh. She really hadnt thought her words through, but hearing that made her want to cry. You cant even say a kind word to your own daughter, do you have any room to talk? As soon as she spat those words out, Callius naturally became furious. What nonsense! Im doing my best! He had his own pride. Even though hed found out only recently that he had a daughter, he acknowledged Emily and treated her well with all his heart. That is, in his own way. Its not enough to just throw a few presents to your daughter. How delicate a girl is! Why cant you go and give her a hug? Callius flinched. Come to think of it, hed never done anything like that. Because it was so awkward. That kid doesnt want stuff like that. After all, she was a kid who liked to fight with swords. He wasnt mistaken. Probably. Did Emily tell you that herself? No, but I mean They hadnt talked much lately. Emily was always training, and Callius had a lot of work to do. The war was over, but hed only gotten busier. Post-processing after a war is always important. Funerals need to be held to appease the souls of the fallen knights and soldiers. Bernard and Callius C Along with the heretic inquisitors, had all joined in prayer and held a magnificent ceremony. Emily was now naturally recognized by the knights, and she always hung out with them or helped Bernard teach the children. Also, Callius didnt have many opportunities to meet her, because hed been preparing for the hunt and then to travel to the Church. Elburton had also thrown a lot of issues his way, which he had to deal with in his spare time. There had been occasions when Elburton had invited them both to a light dinner. But even there, for some reason, they hadnt talked much. The relationship between father and daughter had reached a stalemate, with no sign of progress. Callius wanted to shut Helena up, who was trying to keep nagging. If he left it alone, her rapid-fire chattering would end up rupturing his eardrums. Helena. Eh, yes? What? Ive been in the North for a while, so Ive got no idea what big things have happened recently in the kingdom. You must have a lot of stories to tell, do you mind sharing them with me? Helena was a merchant, so she was sensitive to rumours. In this age, information was money, so there had to be many stories she knew about. Hmm, for free? You havent paid back those thousand gold coins youd borrowed, yet. Where do you think you are? This is the North. If you want a thousand gold coins C Just ask. Well, the wars left more than ten thousand corpses this time. And the Church is processing them for free! Yeah, youre getting rich enough that a thousand gold coins would just be pocket change. But why a thousand gold coins? I remember it was about five hundred. Including interest. I mean, youre the highest-ranked count in the kingdom, wont you even pay the interest on the loan? Callius was furious for a moment, but thinking about it further, hed borrowed the money three whole years ago. Even if the interest had increased to match the principal, there was nothing to say. Hed really needed the money urgently at the time. Not just the money, he owed her his very life, so this much wasnt a problem. And theres another debt that you really need to pay off. The debt of saving your life. She was a woman whod even suck out the marrow from his bones if he didnt resist. It was time to build up an iron wall defence. I never asked for your help. Ah~ How can somebody be so mean? But since I already saved you, I cant take it back. Having thick skin occasionally paid huge dividends. Callius decided to change the subject. Did you get my letter? Letter? Ah, the copper mine in Torrett, right? Yeah. She mustve made a killing from that copper mine. Are you trying to pay off your debt with that? We couldnt do anything with the mine, though. What? Why? It was just copper, but copper still had many uses. The mine had a respectable copper reserve. Didnt you know? The Church has already occupied the entire town. Theres talk about some kind of sacred object? Sacred object? Callius eyes narrowed. There was no way any relic of the Church of Valtherus could be in Torrett. If one talked about some lost sacred object in Torrett C It cant be the Tear of Valtherus. It was similar to a holy relic, but they probably wouldnt have come in force to look for it. Anyway, thats why I didnt even bother with that place. I might get hurt if I try to get involved. I see. Did that happen to Torrett? Sacred object Then, does Ryburn chasing me have something to do with a sacred object? A sacred relic could justify such single-minded pursuit. Then, the Lord of Torrett C Leone C whatd happened to him? In the worst case, he might be dead already. Leone. Hed been a pretty sweet kid. Is there any other story? There really isnt anything big? Something you might be interested in Ah! Come to think of it, Oliorro is in ruins. So that happened, huh. What, did you already know? No. I didnt. Hed been asked by Count Artemion to be part of an escort to that place. But hed refused. Because hed guessed this would happen. In the first place, anywhere the empire stuck its nose in was bound to suffer a disaster. I heard heretics were hiding there. So the royal family you know? That animal, huh. Animal if you say something like that to the princes face, youll get your head chopped off. Its not wrong, though, is it? When Callius spoke firmly, Helena shrugged her shoulders as if she sympathized to some extent. Anyway, thats what happened. The prince went and smashed, killed, and destroyed everything. I see. Count Altemion had asked Callius to escort somebody from Tristar. The subject of the escort had probably been the prince of Carpe. If Id been part of the escort, it wouldve ended in a disaster. The one called the Mad Prince. A beast whod lost its mind and gone crazy because of touching a single sword by mistake. But the trouble in Oliorro wasnt just a rebellion, was it? I dont think even the prince couldve handled it. Because it wasnt just a rebellion, the prince had to step in. This is a top secret, do you know what weapons the rebels were holding? Mace, is it. Huh? How did you know? I see. Thats why they sent the prince. Mace. If that was the case, it was understandable. A country that hadnt been absorbed into the empire, yet maintained a friendly relationship with them. Radon, the country that served the God of the Mace. The hatred the people of Carpe had for them was second only to what they felt about the empire. Or perhaps in a way, they hated them even more than they did the imperials. You really didnt know? Now I know. What do you Anyway, so it wasnt just some little riot. Ive been buying up this and that, since there might be a big war soon. But the North was already at war. Itd been a really big deal. The Wheel turns. The War of the North had been a main quest. Itd already come to an end, but now was just the first step. Times flowing faster than I thought. Before the war really broke out, the problems had to be pruned in advance. That made his decisions easier, in a way. Just how long are you going to eat? Get up! Im still a bit cold Im not cold, though. Youve got those artifacts on you, of course you arent! And youre a native! But Im not! Its cold! Im freezing to death! This noise was going to kill him. Noisy. Bruns. Take care of it. Yep! Wait, what do you want me to take care of? Bruns looked at the dish in his hand and Helena alternately. I meant, you clean up the dishes. Oh, yes! What, did you look at me just now? Dont take your anger out on somebody unrelated. And you were the one who wanted to follow me. If youre going to whine about a little cold, just go back. Im just going side by side because the Black Forests on the way to capital! Why do you keep telling me to go back? Im hurt! Callius shook his head and mounted his horse. Hed been a dullard when it came to horseback riding in his youth, but people grow after all. With the Saddle of Humasys, horseback riding was no big deal anymore. Why are you doing this? But the horse didnt budge an inch. Its not being wilful. I think its scared, Callius. Of that creature in the Black Forest? It had dragon blood. It seemed that ordinary beasts didnt even want to enter the forest. Its already like this. I heard its a baby is it not? Callius activated the Tricolour Eye. The entire forest in front of him was dyed red. There were some lonely spots of blue, but most of the scenery blazed red as if stained with blood. Perhaps someone had annoyed the thunder wolf dragon already. Have they already met? Well, itd been quite some time, so they mightve met at least once. If you walk around in this forest, you cant help but run into it. Ill leave the horse here. Bruns. You have to stay and guard. Yep! Anyway, this guy would only be a hindrance inside the Black Forest. The Black Forest that now stretched in front of them. Helena. The shadows The moment he was about to speak C Callius Instinctive Intuition sounded the alarm. Hairs rose up all over his body, and a chill sensation penetrated deep into his bones. Unconsciously, his body moved. Hey! He pushed Helena away to avoid it. That was then C Kwagwagwang!! Blue lightning flashed. C Hiiiiiiiiing! In front of his eyes was the head of a wolf. Body covered in dragon scales. Light blue fur on its tail. Two horns flashing with twinkling spots of light. A hybrid of dragon and wolf. The thunder wolf dragon with dragons blood, had appeared. Lightning coruscating from its open maw. Editors Notes: None for this chapter. Chapter 67 Kwajijijijik!! Dodge! Lightning coruscates all over its body. The fulminating blue lightning strikes mercilessly in all directions. Kwang! Kwaang!! I hurriedly rolled over, but there was an indescribable chill rolling up my left arm. I twisted my body quickly to move out of the way. Kwajik! The claws of the thunder wolf dragon tore through the air behind me. KwaaangC!! Where his claws struck the ground, lightning writhed, and trees exploded and burst into splinters. In the aftershocks wake, I quickly got up from where Id fell about a meter or so away. I felt surprised and terrified, a chill of terror seeping into my bones[1]. A little late, and my left arm wouldve been torn off. I drew the Tyrant Sword from my waist at once. KuungC! The gravitational force became heavier within the radius equal to the swords reach. The ground dented in a circle, and the spiritual power of one, two, and then three peaks of Six Peak Flowers technique circulated into the veins. All preparations, completed. A suffocating stillness engulfed the surroundings. However, the attack of the thunder wolf dragon ended unexpectedly and anticlimactically. It ran away. There was no sign of the bastard. Itd long since disappeared. Removing the power of gravity, I looked around. Bruns was hiding in the bushes, shivering, and Helena and Alfredo were covered in dust. Just now, that was Right? Thats right. It was that thunder wolf dragon. Wow, thats crazy. Are you trying to hunt something like that? No, can you even catch it? The bastards speed was enough to deserve the phrase fast as lightning. The destructive power of its lightning-wreathed claws which struck with such speed was beyond imagination. I honestly didnt think it would be that much. If it werent for Instinctive Intuition, noticing its surprise attack wouldve been difficult. Wasnt it supposed to be a cub? Most likely Bernard, that old man, had been wrong. I have to catch it. Why? If I leave it alone, the damage to the North will gradually keep increasing. The beasts will gather around him into a horde. If I left it alone, itd become a problem. And if I caught it, I could make the lightning ability of the Thunderbolt Sword even stronger. The total number of beasts in the North had diminished significantly decreased due to the orcs. I might never get a chance like this to catch it ever again. Because Im not sure how long the quest will last. I had to do it while I still could. Its strength was higher than expected, but not enough to leave me completely helpless. Its being pretty arrogant. Because it had no competitors in the North. In other words, most of the guys who stirred shit in the North had died. Since the powerful creatures had disappeared the forest, it mustve been enjoying the whole place as its own territory. Otherwise, it wouldnt have shown off its power so arrogantly. Ah! Callius! He went after a horse! Arent we short of one? Maybe it took one away. So thats why it attacked, it was trying to catch a horse. What about my saddle? Yes? Uh I guess it was taken together, right? Paduduk. So basically the Saddle of Humasys was also gone. Just one more reason to catch it. This cheeky bastard What a wicked thing to do. But its really violent. I think Ill have to subjugate it I didnt know it would be so vicious. Maybe somebodys already provoked it. Yes? Who? Didnt I tell you? Some people went hunting before me. I dont know if theyre still alive. Were alive. Speak of the devil and he shall appear[2]. Ryburn walked out of the forest, probably chasing the thunder wolf dragon. Of course, he wasnt in very good shape. This isnt right. How many battles had he fought with the thunder wolf dragon? He was in far too shabby a state. His trademark glasses were broken, making his piercing eyes stand out, and the armour he was wearing was shattered and charred by lightning. Did you run into that bastard? A couple of times, yes. Also, is the boss the boss? Even after clashing twice, there didnt seem to be any major injuries on him. How was it? Ryburn took a deep breath. The first time, we suffered a lot because we couldnt respond to its surprise attack, and the second time we waited for it in ambush, but in the end it got us instead. Its a natural hunter. It was toying with us, throwing out thunderbolts at unmatched speed, and never standing still for a proper fight. Ryburn and the other inquisitor-captains had encountered the thunder wolf dragon on the very first day, but they couldnt even fight a proper battle. If they fought for a little while, it ran away, and if they were careless, it came back for another surprise attack. Its evil. It has the blood of a dragon. Besides, wolves are naturally intelligent animals. Was it hunting those whod come to hunt it instead by making good use of its special skills? After all, only this kind of bastard would drop a quest. Besides, that Blue Lightning. The power of the lightning was not to be underestimated. Paladin Helena. What are you doing here? I have business in the North, but I didnt know you were here. Just die. At Helenas almost inaudible murmur, Ryburn let out an awkward laugh. Did you two know each other? A long time ago, he got suspicious and dug into our family. A heretic inquisitors suspicions would naturally lead to interrogation and damage to the family. It was deeply fatal for the Bolivian Merchant Group who engaged in commerce. Because of you, many families had to cut a deal at the time, and our limbs still shake when we think back on the money we lost, you know? I was just doing my job. And what about the compensation for those who were harmed because of that stupid job? I clearly expressed my own apology and delivered my compensation back then. A few swords and an apology letter? You really dont think thats the end of it, do you? I You two are being noisy. This isnt important right now, first we have to catch the thunder wolf dragon. We can talk privately later. Helena frowned as if she didnt like it at all and turned around. Where are you going? You say you have to catch the thunder wolf dragon? Ill figure out its location on my own. As she walked away with Alfredo, she tapped the twin swords on her back. Helenas twin swords. Death Sword C Rosetta. With her shadow, tracking the thunder wolf dragon wasnt an impossible task. Ill let you know when I find it. Helena beckoned to her shadow and disappeared into the forest. Where have the other captains gone? They scattered to search on their own. Its supposed to be new and inexperienced, so we didnt decide to come together. You could end up defeated in detail. But it was fine if they suffered from surprise attacks. Im confident in my own skills. If others get done in by it theres nothing I can do about it. I can only take revenge with my sword. They were people with no sense of camaraderie. Of course, itd be strange to wish for comradeship with people who belonged to the Church. All they have is their faith in God and their obsession with swords. Master Callius. No, would it be right to call you Count Jervain, now? Whatevers convenient. Count, then. Youve met the thunder wolf dragon. How was it? Do you have a chance of winning? I nodded. There is a chance. It was stronger than Id expected, because it inherited the blood of a dragon, but the thunder wolf dragon was still a young cub thatd just become the ruler of this place. Its arrogance was sky-high. The fact that its just attacked them meant it was intoxicated with its own power. Else itd have acted a bit more carefully and cautiously. So there was a chance. And one curious thing. Youre asking me Was it a provocation? I couldnt know for sure. But what needed to be done was clear. My sword didnt work on it. The scales were too hard. The poison didnt work? Right. My poison, against its scales The Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor C His Poison Akasha, didnt work. Is that so. Ryburn wont be of much help in hunting the thunder wolf dragon. The moment that thought hit my head C As if it was natural, I drew the sword from my waist. A sword with a beautiful blade that escaped the loose cloth that had wrapped it. Judgment Sword C Medea. I brought it to Ryburns neck. What are you doing? Count Jervain. Do you know the name of this sword? What the hell is it? Its the Sword of Judgment. Its a sword that judges the opponent. If there is even a single lie in the answer to my question, you will die. At first, Id had a lot of trouble hiding in Tristar because of him. Afterwards, I did get some help, but I naturally didnt hold many good feelings towards him. But apart from that C If the roots are rotten, they must be pruned C for the sake of the Carpe and the Order. Arent you afraid of Gods wrath? Turning the Inquisition into an enemy! Turning the Church into an enemy! I am laying the groundwork to destroy the rotten roots of Carpe. I pushed divine power into the Judgment Sword. Its gleaming tip touched Ryburns neck. Ryburn. Have you ever worked for the empire? Not even once! If what he said was a lie, the sword would be dyed black. But if it was the truth, thered be no change. I wished in my heart for it to be a lie. But unfortunately, there was no change. My apologies. When I lowered his sword, Ryburn expressed his dissatisfaction with a wrinkled expression on his face. What the hell was that! Judgment Sword C Medea. Its an ancestral sword passed down from generation to generation in Jervain. It makes it possible to discern lies from truth. If what you just said had been a lie, Ryburn, the sword would have turned black and your head wouldve fallen on the ground. To be honest, there wasnt any possibility of that. I knew the Steel Justice Heretic Inquisitor. Ryburn du Valus was a devout believer of Valtherus. But Id decided not to blindly trust my metaknowledge, so I tried it out. The result, as could be seen. This was rude. But Ive heard of the Judgment Sword once. Discernment of lies. Ive seen records that the Church had previously requested to borrow the Judgment Sword from Jervain. Ohh, did that happen? Naturally, they wouldve been rejected. Yes There was no way the family would lend an outsider a sword made from the lord whod protected Jervain all her life. Your faithfulness is guaranteed by me and the Judgment Sword. Ryburns grievances visibly rose to the tip of his tongue, but in the end he couldnt spit them out. I was a count. The one who would become the future Lord of the North, and above all else C He couldnt respond. Until my sword brushed against his neck. Ryburn, didnt dare react. Even though hed already become mentally and physically exhausted, he couldnt help but feel shaken. Is that the true power of the relic? He didnt know. He didnt know, but he had to seize it. It wasnt him who had to be interrogated by the Church to confirm his faithfulness, but Callius! Bruns, come along. I can roughly guess where the thunder wolf dragon is. Yes! Master! Watching Callius enter deeper into the Black Forest, Ryburn stroked his neck once. That moment when his Adams Apple bobbed up and down C The servant of the already gone Callius C Bruns, bit his lips. Ryburn furrowed his brows. And as he was going to draw his beloved sword, Poison Akasha C Ill take the lead! The man ran away, using Callius as a shield. Ryburn trailed after him, feeling an inexplicable displeasure. Editors Notes: [1] ??? ???? (lit. gallbladder/chatter felt cold) C idiom meaning very surprised and terrified. The second part of the sentence has been added to the translation to keep some of the flavour. [2] ???? ? ? ?? ?????? (lit. even a tiger appears when you talk about it). Chapter 68 Why did you separate? Alfredo asked as if he couldnt understand. Wed be better off together. Master Callius was the first to notice the ambush. Although his aura feels weak, those rumours floating around dont seem to be nonsense. You mean all that chatter about the Hero of the North? Yes. Master Callius level cannot be compared to three years ago. The instantaneous reaction and agility thatd allowed him to avoid the surprise attack. And the aura of the sword hed pulled out in response. All three marked him as one of the strong. Its true. I was really surprised too, you know? The surprise attack of the thunder wolf dragon had been nimble and sharp. Fitting of a creature said to have inherited the blood of a dragon. If Callius had been even a little late, Helena wouldve been seriously injured. She still had a throbbing pain in her shoulder where shed been shoved. The two swords he wears around his waist are probably both spirit-ranked. He drew one of them when the thunder wolf dragon came. And when Callius had drawn his sword C Alfredo couldnt move for a moment. A feeling of pressure had constricted his body from all sides. I was suppressed by the force of his spirit for a moment. A knight whos reached a certain level or higher can exude a strange sense of pressure just by drawing his sword. For adherents of the flesh, its called killing intent[1]. For those who embrace spirituality, its called strength of spirit. Master Callius presence dominated the surrounding space at that moment. That mustve scared our attacker off. Although that aura appeared weak, it hid an immense spirituality. Perhaps hes intentionally hiding his aura. Maybe hes always been like that Arent you thinking too much? Dont you know, Callius almost died by other pilgrims hands three years ago? Theres no way that arrogant man couldve hidden his power in such a situation. Perhaps he just trained hard, or chanced upon a gift. If not, it might be the power of some mysterious relic. Or maybe the power of the sword he had? Then why did you leave? Because of that glasses guy? Partially. Partially? Its partly because I dont want to see him, and partly because of Callius. Helena smirked meaningfully. So its a test? Umm I just need to see it once. The creature had called the lightning. Its scales and horns hadnt looked like much. In the first place, Im just here to take a look. What if he dies? Wouldnt he have died if he came alone, then? Naturally, Ill help him if that happens. If that was all, itd be enough to save him, erase the debt, and separate. But what if he caught the thunder wolf dragon? What if he had more potential than shed thought? It might be a good investment. You mean the position of the Lady of the North? Of course not that!? Alfredo smacked his lips as if it was a pity. Why do you always keep trying to marry me off? I just want you to start a family and find happiness. How funny. You just me want me to buzz off quick so you can be free. Alfredo shrugged. Anyway, the public perception of Callius is still as a piece of garbage, isnt it? What if you stood at the side of such a person, supporting and investing in him? Your gains would snowball. Even though it seems crazy to suddenly become an inquisitor Callius had changed. No, he was still changing. At some point, the prodigal scumbag had become a Hero of the North. He even had a daughter, surprisingly. Ill see it with my own two eyes and judge for myself. If I support him from behind, it wouldnt be a dream to make him a Hero of Carpe. You really love your country, lady. Although you always pretend otherwise. Carpe has been rotting for a long time. For a merchant family, wealth is usually placed higher than honour. We put money over fame, sure. But Carpe is where we make our money. In the empire? Its not like we couldnt make it work. It wont be that bad either. But although merchants pursue wealth C If you pursue only gold without believing in anything else, one day that gold will drag you down and drown you. A merchant ruled by gold is no different from a thieving shoplifter. Isnt that the creed of the Bolivian family? And above all C I like Carpe. And the sword, too. What about the empire and its spear? I dont like either. Too dull. Theres no romance. An empire and a weapon filled with only base and pragmatic ambition, trying to usurp more and more land, and erase other cultures and religions. No romance was the phrase Helena always used whenever she talked about the two. And its more fun and rewarding to have your own story of earning your gold. What could be more boring than earning gold coins without any effort? What is the meaning of even a single gold coin, if no effort has been put into earning it? Even this time, therell be a lot of gold coming my way. Cheok. Helena pulled out one of the swords that hung at her back. The moment she threw it to the ground C Pong. It turned into a black shadow with a chiming sound, and when the other sword was thrown down as well, the shadow changed to the shape of a snake. The shadow that had turned into a giant serpent soon disappeared. A smile appeared on Helenas face. Found you. The Black Forest. The forest is hot and humid, due to the trees that keep it warm for all seasons. The trees emit heat, but what about the snow falling from the sky all the time? The snow melts and becomes water, leading to a perpetually humid environment. The heat of the trees is one of the main factors that have created this environment. Similar to the White Forest, this forest is also the way it is due to the peculiarity of the trees that grow here. That is the Black Forest. Where is it? Didnt you say you had a guess where it might be, Count? If its the one whos taken over the Black Forest, theres one place Im suspicious of. Near the centre of the Black Forest, there is a tree that rises like a spire. A tree so old, its valid to say this forest had started growing around that single tree. Its so tall and wide that it can be seen from afar, so Callius had thought the ruler of this forest probably stayed there. Teok. Youre heading towards the centre. Right. Itd take quite a while to get to the centre. He might have to walk for about an hour. Can I ask you one thing? What if he said no? Why did you accept the offer? Your offer? My suggestion that I recommend you as a heretic inquisitor. And youre asking that now? You sure you arent acting too fast? It was a proposal I myself had come up with, but honestly, its true that the position of a heretic inquisitor isnt very attractive for you, Count, since youve succeeded the title of Lord of the North. But why did you still accept it? Ryburn was suddenly wondering about that. Callius glanced at the forest as he walked, then looked back at Ryburn and responded indifferently. Ill need it now. Originally hed had no intention of becoming a heretic inquisitor. Even if he werent an Inquisitor, even without the title of count, Callius couldve saved Carpe in other ways. Hed accepted Ryburns offer simply because there was nothing wrong with it. The title of count, and the position of heretic inquisitor. There was no downside in having them both. Having only one of the two would be annoying, but both at the same time was much better in that regard. For just a simple reason C The setting of this world stemmed from his imagination, but there were still many things that he didnt know. That was then C What is it? When he stopped, Bruns hurriedly ran behind him. Something had tripped Callius aura sense. Hick! Is it that thunder wolf dragon!? It wasnt a thunder wolf dragon. It was a human. Hearing that, Bruns patted his chest as if hed been scared stiff, then roared. I dont know who it is, but come out! You stand in front of Count Jervain! As Bruns cried out C A large man appeared from behind the black-flowered tree. The captain of the sixth squad. Druma. And C Orcal. With him was the captain of the third squad, Orcal. Their hair was covered with dust, as if theyd just fought a battle, and their cloaks and armours were splattered with a little mud here and there. Was it that guy? Druma and Orcal looked at Callius but didnt answer his question. Instead C They made eye contact with each other, nodded, and slowly drew their swords. Callius eyes narrowed. The subtle and quiet killing intent they had begun to emanate was pricking his skin. The quick-witted Bruns slowly took a step back. For now, Ill just ask. What do you mean by doing this? Callius questioned without blinking an eye at their killing intent. But Orcal merely raised his sword in response. It was a strange-looking sword with multiple holes on its blade, as if itd been chewed through by the black worms Orcal controlled, but Callius just frowned as he looked at the sword. Worm[2] Soul C Anaskan. Orcals sword, the Worm Soul C Anaskan. From the holes of the swords blade that seemed to have been gnawed on by insects, small black things began to disgustingly crawl out in ones and twos. A black soot wrapped around Orcal, and eventually began to expand as if trying to control everything in its reach, including Callius and the forest itself. The true essence of the black soot was worms (x). Worms. As its name suggested, this spirit sword created worms. Of course, they were not normal worms. They were powerful creatures that carried neurotoxins and ate flesh and bones. Sometimes, they could even chew through swords, so they werent easy enemies to fight. What do I mean? We have too many problems to go into detail. The worms buzzed and circled around Orcal, who was speaking with clenched teeth. The appearance of hundreds or thousands of worms permeated a deep disgust. The kingdoms biggest piece of trash suddenly became strong, to be honest, even with a relic or whatever, youre pretty good. But, o hero! O Hero of the North! This place, was far from the North. This was the Black Forest, without any people. The only other one here was the thunder wolf dragon. So it was a perfect place. In the name of God, the interrogation begins That was then C KuungC!! The moving storm of worms, with Orcal at its centre, was disturbed. Suddenly, a tremendous sense of pressure swept over the area, brimming with threat. Ugh! This What! A gloomy killing intent slowly began to bloom. As if overlooking them from a place high above. Orcal and the other captains faces were distorted in pain as they were rooted in place by the cold eyes of a predator, an archetype of arrogance. So, you mean to interrogate me? Callius took out the sword from his waist and held it loosely. The pressure on them grew even stronger. To make me feel this oppression just from killing intent! A killing intent that could even stop them captains from moving! Orcal didnt dare act hastily due to that sense of intimidation that differed too drastically from the weakness of his opponents divine power. To make him feel that kind of pressure directly, just from killing intent? Being able to use such intangible power is impossible without reaching a certain level. The worms Even the worms he had given shape couldnt withstand it, so they couldnt fly properly and fell to the ground like black rain. Even non-living things were in such a state. The faces of Orcal and the other captains were dyed with surprise. Is it because even though his divine power is still weak, the purity has changed to match a Master!? There was no way he couldve already C He couldnt have risen to the rank of a Master[3]! It was impossible. It was absurd, but thats what their eyes were telling them. Master This was proof. Editors Notes: [1] ?? (salgi), lit. bloodthirst, murderous gaze. [2] ?(x) can mean both worm or insect. [3] Master is going to be capitalized when its referring to the rank. This might change later but its just too common a word otherwise. Chapter 69 The prayer room inside Jevarsch Castle. Hes gone. An old man with a missing arm and a strong-looking middle-aged man were praying before God. Yes. What a rapscallion! For three years hes been chirping at me, sword, sword. But he ran away the moment he got it. He left once he got his hands on the Thunderbolt Sword. What a cold-hearted bastard. I thought hed leave after a little while. Still, at least he shouldve said his goodbyes to you before leaving. You mean he didnt even tell you, Count? I am no longer a count. Ah, thats right. But he didnt even tell the head of the family? That bastard, I didnt even see his hide nor hair before he scarpered. Seeing Bernard grumble that he shouldnt have given away the Thunderbolt Sword, Elburton was relieved inside. Callius hadnt said goodbye to anyone. If he hadnt said it to his daughter, would he say it to his father? If he hadnt said it to his family, would he say it to his teacher? There was not much difference between them, it seemed. His son didnt have a heart of stone, he just felt it too awkward to say goodbye. It wasnt like they were parting forever. I was just wondering if Ive given him the title for nothing Now that cheeky bastard has become a count, nobody can stop him. Thats right. What kind of fuss will he be stirring up now? They talked of their worries, but there was no worry on their faces. Just small smiles bloomed. Even if its sad, what can you do? He wanted to go to a higher place. How could they stop the hero whod protected the North, now that he was going to protect the kingdom? Did he look fine? You mean Callius? At Elburtons nod, Bernard pondered, thinking of his disciple. Once a fool, always a fool, they say. But even such a scapegrace had a daughter, a father, a teacher, and the power of the North, and became a count. Everything thatd been originally his. The man whod lost everything, regained everything. With a victory! Was there any need to say any more? The young boy has now become a young man, and he is trying to become a full-fledged adult. But the brilliance of a late dawn lasts longer, does it not? Is that so. The fairy tales I read as a kid were usually about heroes. However, remembering them now, heroes arent strong from the start. A hero can only become a hero after suffering hardships, passing trials and tribulations, and encountering the crossroads of life and death a few times. What is a hero? Even a roadside beggar or a dying patient can become a hero. Even if the beginning is weak C Only the ending has to be great. Isnt that the perfect phrase for Callius? So theres this thing Im doing as a pastime Are you writing a book? Just to pass the time. The kingdoms greatest bastard. It was perfect for a story. Elburton smiled happily and joined his hands in prayer in front of the statue. Bernard. Originally, I didnt have many days left to live. Yes. I remember. But the doctor who came to treat me a while ago said C That his disease had been cured. An act of God. A miracle. But Elburton knew C Ive been saved by him twice. Really!? Thats a good thing! Maybe, Count, thats why you Elburton nodded. He already knew. You mean about your condition, lord? Well, he threatened me with it. Since you were healed because of me, meekly pass on the count title. Its not yet time for me to take over, so keep a close watch on the northern lands as if your life is at stake. And that was how Callius had gotten the title. Bernard clicked his tongue hearing this crazy tale. Hes my own son, but honestly, is he crazy or something? A son who threatened his own father. Of course, it might simply be his twisted personality. Hes a good kid. He gave Emily that precious stone. Its late, but isnt he trying to be a good father at last? Im glad. Ive been wondering for years about what to do with Emily. Her divine blood has been released, and now shes known as the daughter of my perfect heir, so theres nothing to worry about. Emilys skills were improving day by day. Unlike Callius, she was a smart and talented kid. However, Elburton still felt a bit saddened because of her. Unlike before, he now had a legitimate successor in Callius, so his life had become much more relaxed. There was no reason not to shower Emily, his sons daughter and his granddaughter, with love. But Emily didnt get close to Elburton. They were still a little uncomfortable around each other. That was what Elburton felt sad about. Not that he wasnt reaping what he himself had sown[1] Elburton pondered for a moment on their conversation about Callius, then asked cautiously. How do you rate his skills? Callius, defeated the warlord. I was still conscious, so I saw it clearly. What was engraved on his sword. Come and read on our website wuxia worldsite. Thanks Its well-known that only those who have reached the level of a Master can use it Sword boundary[2] (). It had emanated from Callius sword. Elburton had seen it. It wasnt complete, but its presence to him had been clear as day. Because that was the realm hed longed for all his life. Bernard. Tell me. Is Callius a Master? Bernard chose his words carefully before responding. The Callius hed seen. And remembering what hed accomplished, Bernard answered carefully, word by word. He almost died twice on the battlefield. And he grew stronger each time he came back alive. Hed barely survived the fierce battle against the great warrior Keltuk. And the next time C Callius, whod blocked the generals axeblows, had already surpassed Bernard. It wasnt enough to match the warlord, but his final blow had been something different. Its power was definitely that of one whod risen to the ranks of Masters. What had been contained in Callius sword C The technique that had defeated the general C was the proof. At the edge where life and death meet, he caught hold of it, what neither of us have managed in all our years. Though it still wasnt perfect. But he was definitely progressing step by step. Towards the realm of the Masters. At the same time. Master, what bullshit. Its all nonsense. Since the time I dealt with the warlord C I havent managed to successfully execute Other Shore Flower even once. Even Stella, whod invented the Silver Flower Wave Sword arts in the first place, had invented the third martial skill after reaching the level of Master herself. Theres definitely a feeling. Ive got a sense of which direction I need to go to grow. But not yet. Its still too early for me to become a Master. I remain calm on the outside, but am relieved on the inside. If they mistake me for somebody approaching the Masters realm, I can only be grateful. They seem to have misunderstood my hidden aura and the gravity of the Tyrant Sword as proof of being a Master. Well, its worth it. If you think of the insignificant force of gravity as the momentum of the mighty, its understandable to be mistaken for a Master. Because I dont want to fight in the first place, the Tyrant Swords effect is satisfactory enough. The Worm Soul is definitely bothersome. In a one-on-one match, if a bug that gnaws on your nerves and causes pain and distraction, victory would naturally become difficult. But of course C Theyre just bugs. The spirit sword that guides worms is not very compatible with the Tyrant Sword that manipulates gravity. No matter how many worms there are, theyre still just worms in the end. If you crush them all with the force of gravity, their special powers are naturally unusable. This is because the power is distributed among the huge swarm of creatures. Suppressing such dispersed power is only too easy with the Tyrant Sword. Orcal may have a few trump cards, but its not difficult to beat him. But in a situation like this, I cant consider one-on-one fights. Three captains versus one person. If its about defeating each of them one after the other, thats not impossible either. Thats how much stronger the War of the North has made me, and I have several powerful swords in my hands. If I make up my mind and fight, I wont lose, and thats not me being arrogant. But before that, theres work to be done. If you were in doubt, I couldve gone to the Church to prove my innocence. You guys didnt need to drag me, I myself was already going there on my own two feet, so I could become a heretic inquisitor. I take out the Judgment Sword C Medea from my waist. And among the ones in my front, I raise my sword towards Orcal in particular. Was this really your idea? As soon as Orcal sees the Judgment Sword, he flinches and looks away. But he cant deceive my eyes. For a moment, Orcal was looking towards Druma. And, Druma C When I turn towards him, the elegant blade of the Judgment Sword is dyed black. So this is the answer. It hadnt been their own decision. Nevertheless, the reason for attacking in this way must be due to instructions from their superiors. Ryburn, noticing whats going on, has left my side and joined the other two at some point. Good. Whatever I say here, or even if I prove my innocence by holding the Judgment Sword to my own neck, its no use. Because theyre going to try and kill me anyway. Thats fine. Ive endured a lot so far. After all, I dont want to listen to their chattering either, so now is the time to have a conversation with our swords instead. Read latest Chapters at Wuxia World . Site Only Its also the perfect stage to test out my new sword. Inquisitor-captains arent trivial opponents, even if I go all out. I unsheathe the Thunderbolt Sword. Editors Notes: [1] ???? (lit. self-employment), asking for it; bringing something upon oneself. [2] ?? (geomgang, lit. sword river) is being translated as sword boundary. This is not a domain (?? which is the ability of a vision sword). Geomgang is a common KR martial arts/fantasy concept which was first seen in chapter 55, where it was translated as sword qi becoming tangible. Although the Chinese form is supposed to be , not Chapter 70 Shes here again today. Ah, you mean Miss Emily. Yes, she comes by every day, doesnt she? The body holding the sword was indeed young. However, the expression on her face was infinitely serious, and gave off a faraway feeling. Divine power emanated from her every pore. Her divine blood circulated from her sacred passage to her whole body C And then gathered back in one place, settling down into a solid grain-like shape. But that was all. Considering Emilys age, this was already a great achievement, but she was not satisfied. Dad said he made buds inside his body. Spiritual power continually gathered and concentrated inside it, becoming purer and purer, and when necessary, the bud would bloom into a flower. Amplifying the spiritual power manyfold. That was the Six Peak Flowers technique. Emilys goal was to create that inside her elixir field. Is this even possible? Shed wondered if itd be possible to create the shape simply by clumping up the spiritual power like clay, but that wasnt at all the case. It was at this point that she couldnt help but wonder if it was even possible in the first place. Of course, it was indeed possible to just gather the intangible qi inside the body and mould it into a shape. Yes, it was possible to shape the bud with divine power. But to make it bloom like a flower? She couldnt quite understand how the divine power, once gathered, could form a bud and bloom. It was easy to describe, but when she tried to do it herself, it seemed impossible. Dad couldnt have lied. But it was so complicated that even a lie wouldve been better. Even Callius had taken years to achieve it, so it was only natural. Even though Emily was a genius, the person whod created this technique had been none other than the legendary Stella. Even for Callius, without the characteristic of Death Verse Composition that activated at the threshold of life and death, this technique wouldve taken at least a decade to achieve. Even with her understanding of swordsmanship and her natural genius, it was difficult for Emily to achieve the Six Peak Flowers technique with words alone. But Emily did not give up. Her father, whod been called a fool, had manged it, had he not? Of course, the more she practiced, the more she understood Callius brilliance in her bones. Ill ask. She hadnt asked him for any tips because of her pride. Now she was regretting that a little. She couldnt have known hed leave the North in such a hurry. He wont be back for a while, so she had no opportunity to ask. Sword qi isnt difficult to make. Although, it wasnt the same as her fathers Silver Flower Wave Sword. She wanted to follow that form, but couldnt. How can I make the sword qi look like petals attached to the blade? Its not something that can be achieved through simple hard work. Dad wasnt some talentless dullard, whatever the rumours about him. The more she followed his path, the more she understood. Callius was by no means talentless. If he were, he wouldnt have been able to learn such swordsmanship even if it took a decade. Grandfather said he never taught him, and hed never even heard of anyone else who could handle that sword art apart from Stella He didnt learn from anyone. It was highly probable that he was self-taught, after finding some remnant of the saint. Even so, the difficulty of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art could not be understated. Emily realized her fathers efforts once more and calmly closed her eyes. She never learned it from him directly, but his battles on the battlefield could show her the path. When she closed her eyes, those scenes were still clear. On the battlefield, his sword that had swung this way and that. Beautiful and joyous. And finally, his battle with the warlord. That battle, Emily had seen with her own eyes and preserved in her heart. And once again C She grabbed her sword. With eyes closed, she contemplated upon herself. ? Amazing. To use sword qi at that age Its natural. Shes his daughter, isnt she? True enough. The knights who watched Emilys training did not spare any praise. Sword qi at her early teens. They couldnt even imagine how strong she would be when she came of age. Isnt that enough to send her to the kingdoms swordsmanship academy in Carradi? That place where only geniuses gather? Hey! No matter how much of a genius they are, can they compare to that young girl whos been on the battlefield! Even if there were a hundred of them, theyd all pee at the taste of an orcs axe! Aaron, full of pride, beat his chest as he exclaimed. The other knights also nodded as if it was natural. By the way, when is Master Callius coming back? I was going to swear fealty to him as my liege, but I didnt know he would leave right away Why didnt he take us? Sir Aaron. Youre doubting your lords judgment. He cares about the North. But still! Since he cherishes this place, did he have to leave so soon? He couldve stayed a little bit longer, at least. The demonic beasts had been methodically uprooted, and there was not even a trace left of the orcs. The walls were almost completely repaired, and time would take care of rebuilding the destroyed villages. The North was restored to peace. But that peace would not last forever. Now the lord has become a count. He will soon become the head of government and rule the northern lands, but the people of Carpe only praise the North with their mouths and never give any concrete help, so he mustve gone to deal with them. Knowing his personality, just thinking about what he was going to do as a heretic inquisitor gave them goosebumps. Hell go after them all. Are those heretic inquisitors going to die first? They said they came all the way here to interrogate our master. What?! Theyve sure kicked a hornets nest! Does Master Callius know!? He knows, but he pretends he doesnt. The knights nodded their heads in unison. Most of them gathered here were those whod roamed the battlefield with him. They called themselves the Knights of Callius, so they knew his character better than most everybody else. Hell go after them soon. Because he had a very filthy personality. A quiet silence passed. They had wielded their swords in numerous battlefields, but at this moment, they had no choice but to panic. Is he that confident? To kill all three of us That thought dominated their minds. Gulp. Ryburns throat bobbed up and down. If that how it was, their actions were decided. Come and read on our website wuxia worldsite. Thanks Attack! ClaangC! Callius, who blocked Ryburns sword, pulled back and took some distance. The divine power latent in the Six Peak Flowers technique awakened. The buds unfolded and the flowers bloomed. Pure divine power wrapped around him, and his sword unleashed a razor-sharp arc of silver. ClaangC! What power! Surprised by the might behind the blow, Ryburn frowned. Drumas greatsword, which had been raised high, immediately came at an angle, striking down. A wide and large blade. Zodiac Sword C Guillotine. Callius glanced at Drumas sword, evading it rather than blocking it. BangC! As he dodged Drumas sword, it struck the earth, raising a high cloud of dust, and when that lifted, a square wall of earth just enough to hold a person could be seen. It was the unique ability of the Guillotine. And without giving any room for a breath C HwiiiiingC The sound of bugs tickled Callius ears. They were not small as grains of sand, like earlier. They had condensed to about the size of a fist, so they were able to withstand the force of gravity and fly. The number reached thirty, but since they had grown so large C Its easy to cut. They were easily cut by a sword. Slash! My worms! Orcal bit his lips. He raised his sword, but Callius retreated once more. Screech! Akasha is spreading poison. It was Ryburn attacking. The poison melted the ground and oxidized anything it touched, causing Callius to frown. These bug-like bastards are a bother. It wasnt difficult to deal with one guy at a time. But with three of them fighting at the same time, it was really troublesome. Only one worm left, Orcal. You. Whore you calling a worm! Watch your mouth. Orcal and Druma grumbled at each other. And Ryburn held up his sword with a tense expression on his face. I guess you havent reached the Masters level yet? Was it because of the relief that theyd been mistaken? The captains could even joke with each other. They were mistaken until the fight started, but once their sword hit each other, they could feel it. And really, forget about being a true Master, he was no match for the three inquisitor-captains in the first place. Ryburns lips twitched. What, its all for nothing. Did all three of us really need to come together? Dont drop your guard. He might still be hiding something. The whispering voices of Oscar and Ryburn, echoed through the forest. Dont relax. His sword. Its a demon sword. What? Demon sword? Are you sure? The bizarre pattern on the sword. And the scabbard, covered with fur and scales that looked like those of a beast, was definitely not made from a rosario. Even if you never stole any holy relics, theres no saving you now. As a heretic inquisitor, naturally, demon swords were products of heresy, cursed objects that must be destroyed. However, there was a touch of greed on his face that could not be hidden. That was then. WhooshC Power surged into the wind with Callius at its centre. Flinch. The captains, who trembled at the enormity of that aura, looked at Callius. Spark, craaaaaaaaaackle. Dont be so shy. The scabbard made of leather covered with what looked like animal hair and scales. A thick blade made with the bone of something, and the cross-guard with a strange shape like a thunderbolt. The energy seeping into the air was at once familiar and foreign. Blue lightning sparks fluttered around Callius. What little of the blade that could be seen from inside the scabbard was imbued with a dazzling blue light. Thunder qi? Demon sword? It sounds like youve seen it somewhere. It was good that Ryburn recognized it. Callius embedded the Tyrant Sword on the ground and started unsheathing the Thunderbolt Sword. Spark, craaaaaaaaaackle! As soon it was slowly pulled out of the scabbard, an aura of blue lightning wrapped around Callius. Hwiish. When the blade came free, sparks began to dance as they emerged from the blade as if they were alive. Ill give you one last chance. A red blade. Flashing with blue lightning. The blue light reflecting on Callius face created an eerie atmosphere. I never betrayed the Church. He told the truth. But the only response that came back was laughter. Funny! How could your garbage swordsmanship improve this much without the help of a holy relic? However, despite their sarcasm, Callius lips curved up into an arc. Alright. Hed tried, just in case. Even the slightest sense of guilt in his heart seemed to have washed away. Read latest Chapters at Wuxia World . Site Only You dont need to believe. From now on, even if they believed, his sword would not stop. The moment Callius sword pointed up at the sky C Craaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack! The heaven and the earth were turned upside down. Chapter 71 ClaaaangC!! Craaaaaaack! Lightning struck. A pulse of blue electricity spread in all directions through the Black Forest. Aaaaaaah! Boom! Boooom! Crack!! Crazy! A man stood tall with the azure explosion at his back. Callius C to them was a horrifying sight. Orcals worms were charred by the lightning. Drumas bindings were shattered. Ryburns poison couldnt even reach him. The power of the thunderbolt that spread in all directions with every impact was beyond their imagination. Besides, his sword art C What the hell is this The scattered petals were charged with lightning. Silver Flower Wave Sword C Raging Flower Wave. Each of its petals was a thunderbolt. A mass of blue lightning that devastated without discrimination. And the problem wasnt just above ground, either. Kaaaaaagh! Lightning didnt just fall from the sky. It pierced upwards from under their feet, without any way to stop it. Leaving them helpless. BoooomC!! Druma! Drumas sword shattered and fell, its wayward fragments shattering a few trees in their path. He could no longer move, and it was unknown whether he was merely unconscious or dead. Orcal and Ryburns complexions became pale, but Callius, still calm, hadnt yet broken a sweat. As expected of the Thunderbolt Sword. Among the elemental-type swords, it ranked among the top ten in destructive power. What it produced was the power of pure lightning. Very compatible with the Silver Flower Wave Sword art. Raging Flower Wave didnt need mentioning, of course. Even the White Haze, when the sword energy was changed to lightning, had its power amplified and its sharpness doubled. Besides, pure electrical energy had other advantages. No matter how well-trained a knight might be, they had no choice but to get burns and numb muscles at a touch. Its just like when Id been facing Ames. The destructive force reminded him of the time when hed been helpless against Lutheon and his Exploding Spear C Ames. But now he was in a position to wield such violence instead of being subjected to it. One down. The captain of the sixth squad, Druma, had retired from the field. The Zodiac Sword C Guillotine was a good sword if used properly, applying the power of the earth to create a wall of soil and crush the opponent inside, but itd faced a bad match-up this time. Guillotine was shattered by Callius sword, and Druma had lost consciousness. Not dead, huh? The Zodiac Sword C Guillotine, after being broken, had turned into white smoke and disappeared. Now that the swords carcass had been released, there was no point worrying about Druma any further. Once the rosario becomes a scabbard, the swords soul unifies with the paladin, and since the sword was destroyed, Drumas soul had also inevitably been damaged. He had to have suffered serious internal injuries, so hed die anyway if left alone. Hed taken the full brunt of the lightning, after all. Theres a reason why I took out the Thunderbolt Sword in the first place. The nature of the lightning was the reason. Because lightning shows exceptional effect in matches versus multiple opponents. It can quickly and easily subdue opponents, and it has good synergy with the Silver Flower Wave Sword art. So, for the past three years, Callius had been trying to steal the Thunderbolt Sword from Bernard. Really. Once he used it in a fight, he could feel it. With this, I can match him blow for blow. Lutheon. Callius could now fight evenly with that damned bastard. The only sad part was that the sword contained demonic energy, so he couldnt take it out carelessly. Haaaaaaa!! The sword blocked Orcals escape route. At the same time, it ejected another thunderbolt. Fuck off!! Merely that. But even just that caused blood to ooze from Orcals eyes and mouth. His eyeballs were bloodshot, blood vessels ruptured, skin burnt; the smell of cooked flesh rising from his body tickled Callius nose. The ability of this sword was that overwhelming. Ryburn!! Orcal, who was about to faint, cried out to his colleague. But Callius hadnt lost track of his enemy. He blocked Orcals sword with the weapon in his main hand, while his off hand reached into the air and drew out the Predator Sword to block the others strike. ClangC! Sparks flew. The scabbard of the Predator Sword shot out, and a blood-red blade was revealed. Slash! Ryburns arm flew through the air. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Snikt. At the same time, the Thunderbolt Sword pierced Orcals belly. Lightning surged, and Orcal fainted with a gasp. Its easy. All the inquisitor-captains were paladin level. Even among paladins, there were three strata, and they could be said to be second-class. It was safe to say that Callius had gotten strong enough to slaughter a second-class paladin of the Order. Lutheon should be at the very peak of first-class. He had to have risen to that level by now. With Storm Sword C Callis in his hand, Callius could even deal with a Master for a while, but there was nothing to be done about it. Callis had a restriction that it must not leave the North. You. Do you think youll be able to keep the sword, knowing itll make the Church your enemy? Ryburns voice, full of condemnation, was sharp as a knife. But Callius only laughed out loud in response. What are you saying? Didnt you guys already try to kill me even though you didnt have a shred of proof? Ryburn bit his lips. In fact, hed had no intention of killing Callius at the start. However, during his absence, Druma had received an order from his superiors. He couldnt figure out exactly what was going on. But the milk had already been spilled. The course of events was irreversible. Even though things turned out like this, I dont have any ill feelings. No, well, theres a little. Ive been annoyed since Torrett. Ah well. Ryburn was probably only following orders, anyway. Any last words? May your path be filled with the wrath of God. Thank you for that. Snikt. Callius pierced Ryburns heart with the Predator Sword. As Ryburn fell, Callius inspected the state of his sword. Predator Sword C LoasGrade C Spirit SwordInfused Soul C A mixed soulUnique Ability C PredationNoble Predation C 4 Noble Predations count had increased. Itd counted both Ryburn and his sword. Looks like Akashas broken. Seeing that the count rose only by eating souls at the level of the captains or higher, Callius wondered what advantage Noble Predation would eventually bring. I might have to fill in a hundred for a transformation. Or perhaps even a thousand. The sword might turn into a vision sword or have some other changes at that point. It wouldnt be that difficult to feed it from time to time. He had time. By the way. It must be thanks to that strange seed inside my elixir field. The purity of his divine power C As well as the amount, had increased significantly. Callius von JervainOccupationC PilgrimSpiritC Level 3Divine PowerC 11332/16531TalentCBards BlessingInstinctive IntuitionCharacteristicsC [Verse of Grace] [Nobilitys Duty] [Scapegrace of the Count Family] [Death Verse Composition] [Prodigal Son of Order] [Gluttony] [Tricolour Eye] [Pheromone] [Ability]Strength C 81 (30)Agility C 55 (30)Skill C 16Health C 53 (30)Faith C 83 Although his spirits level didnt rise C The amount had indeed increased. In fact, this had been happening from the moment that seed had settled in Callius elixir field. After achieving three peaks of his Six Peak Flowers technique, the amount of divine power had continued to show a gradual growth. Although the rate had been negligible, itd made using the Thunderbolt Sword less burdensome. Despite it making his life easier, he was a little reluctant because he still didnt know what the seed was. A defeated God. What was it defeated in? There were some niggling doubts. He could only make guesses. Shall we just finish it? Callius shook his head and raised the Predator Sword. Ryburns body had changed to a handful of sand as the Predator Sword had absorbed his flesh and spirit, but not Orcal, whod been stabbed by the Thunderbolt Sword. Hed fainted, but he was still alive. Thered no repercussion for killing him at this point. Everyone already knew that the heretic inquisitors had come to hunt the thunder wolf dragon. No one would be able to say anything if they were hunted by their prey instead. He had enough swords for now, so it was better to let the Predator Sword eat him. Come and read on our website wuxia worldsite. Thanks M-, master! Just as the blade was about to chop down C Along with Bruns cry C Die!! Druma, who Callius had thought dead, sprang an ambush with Orcals spirit sword. Callius began to block it with the Predator Sword, but then he narrowed his eyes for an instant and hurriedly retreated. Are you running away?! Fight! You apostate Crunch. Druma lost his head before he could even finish speaking. Ah. Looking back on it, hed made a mistake. He shouldve tried to keep Druma alive, if only to find out who was trying to kill him. Behind the headless corpse, a huge beast thatd been chewing the head spat it out as if finding it tasteless. C Krrr. It was the thunder wolf dragon. It looked quite enraged. It wasnt because its territory had been invaded. It was looking very intently at the Thunderbolt Sword in his hand. Did you come for this? It growled, displaying rows of sharp teeth. Perhaps itd come here feeling the power of lightning that was from the same source as its own. It didnt seem to like the Thunderbolt Sword very much, though. This might be from your parents. When Callius waved the sword around like a joke, the beast dug at the ground with its front paws as if it would charge right in at any moment. Callius put away the Predator Sword. And he rushed to pull out the Tyrant Sword that was stuck in the ground. The beast charged at that same instant. Sparks scattered as it arrived like a peal of thunder. But this time, Callius was faster. CrackC! As soon as hed grabbed the sword, hed activated the gravitational field. Unused to the change, the beast couldnt help but stumble. Its movement was sealed for an instant. Blue lightning flashed from its body. And thunderbolts crashed down. Crrrrrracklllllle!! However, the Thunderbolt Sword in Callius hand replied with a resounding roar. C Kuaaa!! ClangC! Avoiding the enemys body slam by a hair, he cut horizontally. However, there was only a dull sound as the sword struck. Itd bounced off against the hard scales. There were no scratches. Boom! Boom! Sent flying through the air, Callius could only come to a halt after knocking down several trees. The thunder wolf dragon raised its head, its horns flashing blue. As it howled, a huge thunderbolt struck the area. Crrrrraaaaaaash!! However, this was already expected. Ugh! The Thunderbolt Sword clashed against the enemys lightning bolt. And unified with it. The lightning instead enveloped the sword like a wreath. The secret of the Silver Flower Wave Sword art resided in the Thunderbolt Sword. First Martial Skill C Raging Flower Wave. A sword skill that shatters the opponents sword art and unifies it with itself, making it look like flower petals fluttering in all directions that crash upon the enemy like waves upon a shore. And just like that C What Callius did, was simple. The Thunderbolt Sword smashed against the enemys lightning attack. The scattered electricity gathered around it like a wreath. And all that power then flowed into a strike. Instead of looking like petals C It was just lightning. Fragments of lightning flew through the air. This, was a Raging Flower Wave. A Raging Flower Wave made entirely out of lightning. A flower made of thunder that bloomed from the tip of Callius sword. But the thunder wolf dragon managed to avoid even that. For such a huge body, it was an amazing performance. But that didnt matter. I kind of expected it. That this bastard would avoid it. But the more it dodged, the more traces of the lightning were carved on the ground. From those traces seeped out the White Haze, and lightning struck again, upward. Silver Flower Wave Sword: Second Martial Skill C White Haze. Bewildered, the thunder wolf dragon was hit by its own lightning. But even so, its dragon scales and horns managed to nullify the power. Although it was confused, there was no actual damage. But it was time. All the buds of the three peaks bloomed in Callius elixir field. A huge torrent of divine power circulated through the veins and filled his whole body. And all that divine power concentrated into a sword. Tyrant Sword C Karaktu. Between the flowers of lighting, between Raging Flower Wave and White Haze C A third technique now unfolded, a mystery that bridged the gap between the two. Silver Flower Wave Sword: Third Martial Skill C Other Shore Flower. As both skills gathered around the blade C A compressed sword was created. Intangible qi, gathering to form a river. Incomplete, yes C But the form of the compressed qi C Was definitely the embryonic form of a sword boundary. It wasnt perfect, but it was there. In the first place, this was a technique that intentionally exploded an unstable sword art to deal internal damage to the enemy. Step. His legs, which had gathered divined power, pierced through the curtain of lightning. The Thunderbolt Sword scattered lightning bolts to clear the path forward. But the thunder wolf dragon didnt stand still either. Since itd noticed something strange, it naturally tried to speed up and keep its distance. Bang! Bang! Crackle! Boom! Bang!! A void was carved out at a speed that couldnt be followed with the naked eye. One without any interference from the lightning. So the beat had to come forward. Raising its front paws, it splashed blue lightning from its claws. But even lifting its paws itself was a mistake. Thats a gap. Snikt! C Kaaaang! It was just a scratch. Itd managed to escape. But itd been cut. And right now, that was enough. Clang! Immediately, the cut skin burst open, and blood splattered in the air. It was small, pale, but something did indeed bloom within it. In the shape of a peony flower. In the fight against the warlord, I didnt have to use either the Raging Flower Wave or the White Haze to do this. But this wasnt the same as that time. As a result, the power of the technique was also vastly different. This isnt even half the power compared to back then, but thats fine. C Kuaaaaaaaaa!! Because power wasnt Callius concern right now. Things are going to get a little heavy for you. The thunder wolf dragons face wrinkled. Viscous blood dripped from its mouth. It staggered quite a bit, since it was difficult to balance its body due to its broken shoulder. It was doing everything it could to keep itself centred. However, since the area near the injured shoulder had become heavy, its movement became awkward. Callius did not miss the opportunity. He cut, and cut again. He cut indiscriminately. Cut at the neck, at the legs, and at the torso. Its leather was so hard that he couldnt even cut it properly, and the wounds were all shallow, but they were definitely increasing in number. And with each cut from the Tyrant Sword C Its body became different from before. It became so heavy that it couldnt even move easily. This time, it was the Thunderbolt Sword. It pierced where a wound had ruptured. And no matter how resistant to lightning it might have been on the outside, its innards were still vulnerable. You have to die here. The shimmering light of a thunderbolt cast a shadow across Callius face. The thunder wolf dragons mouth opened wide into a roar. Lightning struck again. But it was of no use. Callius sword was faster. Read latest Chapters at Wuxia World . Site Only B-b-bang!! At the same time C As Callius squeezed out all of his divine power and drove a lightning bolt into its body C Bang! Baang! Booom! Booooooooom! The world was covered in a boundless thunderstorm. Chapter 72 ThudC! Sprout of the Aftermath[Quest Complete]{Reward} Blue Lightning (i) Looking at the collapsed thunder wolf dragon, Callius exhaled harshly. His heavy panting slowly subsided as his breath turned to white steam where it met the chill air. Quickly, a dim light rose from one part of the corpse of the thunder wolf dragon, the place where the power of thunder was concentrated the most. Its heart. The place where the lightning was condensed to the extent that it could be seen with the naked eye, however faintly. Callius stabbed there right away. Snikt. The power of thunder rises significantly. As soon as he stabbed the heart with the Thunderbolt Sword, all the energy seeped into its blade. At least twice as much. Thats how much stronger it had become. He could feel it straightaway. Spark, crackle! It got a little cloudy. The dark red blade that symbolized a spirit sword, had turned a little darker. How unexpected. With this quest, the rank of the Thunder Sword had risen, albeit only a little bit. Certainly, it didnt turn into a vision sword or anything. But raising the level of a sword in itself isnt very common in this game. Even for quests related to a specific sword, unless theres some clear connection to its rank, that fact holds true. Of course, not common meant quests like that did exist, but one thing was for certain C There wasnt any for this guy. But it still happened. This was something thatd never been set, an unwritten past behind the current status quo. This wasnt a pleasant change for Callius. The fact that there were parts that he didnt know about, created variables. In this world, variables could spell his death. And where do you think youre going? Hic! Ryburn had turned into a handful of dust. Druma had gotten his head chomped off by the thunder wolf dragon. Orcal had gotten stabbed, but he wasnt dead. Although, to say it more precisely C He wasnt dead yet. I havent killed you. Roving Worm[1] Orcal. His specialty was in aspects other than battle. As his nickname reflected, he was more useful for scouting and infiltration using his worms. Because the sword hed made a sheath of was the Worm Soul. He was a paladin whod unified with a sword that materialized worms that it could control. Unlike the rest of the captains, he was quite useful in a utility role. Bruns. Yes! Here I am! Master! Bruns, whod been hiding in the bushes, came out. At Callius order, he pulled out a rope from his double cloth bag and bound Orcal tightly with it. No matter how hurt a paladin might be, for him to get tied up by a guy like Bruns it was quite a sight. Ugh Damn it! What are you planning to do with me!! Master, what should we do? Be quiet. Yeah! Be quiet, you bastard!! Puff!! Kgh! Bastard, you dare! Sure I dare, you bastard! Only the count can order me around! Thud!! After being hit a few more times, Orcal fainted and the quiet returned. Killing Orcal would be the usual approach here. But Callius hadnt made a final decision yet. It wouldnt be too late to decide his fate after considering the future clearly. Callius grabbed at the air and pulled out several glass bottles. As with the blood of a troll, the blood of a dragon was also treasure in itself. Hed come here to hunt the beast down in the first place, so he was carrying a lot of glass bottles with him. Master! Ill do it! Forget it. The thunder wolf dragon had a little trace of dragons blood. It was mixed with impurities, that is, demonic energy, but if it could be purified, it might be possible to extract a little bit of blood essence. Dragons blood could be used in various places. Artifacts were a basic usage. A more complex use was for carcasses. If its dragon blood essence, it might even be possible to create a relic, although its grade would definitely be lower than a true sacred relic. It was really worth the effort. Even if you dont use it for anything, spirit crafters would line up to buy it. The blood had to be stored as much as possible before it could congeal. Bruns, whod finished tying Orcal tightly, rushed back to help. As the blood of the thunder wolf dragon was poured into containers little by little, a voice came near. Are you going to sell it to me? Ugh! What the! It was Helena. Shed been standing silently in the shadow of a nearby tree. Leaving Bruns to his startled trembling, Callius answered. Let me think about it. Even if we buy at the best price? Callius glanced at Helena. Then Helena tilted her head as if in puzzlement. What, what is it? Arent you going to ask? Callius had just killed two captains of the Inquisition. One more had been captured, and hed even used a demon sword to do it. There were several questionable points, but Helena spoke calmly as if she didnt know anything. If she wasnt curious, Callius wasnt going to bring anything up either. How much, do you think? Hmm well. The leather is shredded. The meat is quite burnt, too, so itd be difficult to sell. Still, the horns are fine. Ill take the horns. What, really? Then I guess the claws and the teeth are fine at least C ah! The tail fur is also in good condition. Then Helena, nodding, picked up a tree branch and wrote down some numbers on the ground, then glanced at him askance. How about ten thousand? Ten thousand gold coins for all the materials except the horns. What kind of a wastrel do you take me for? It was a dragonblooded creature. Not a simple beast that only wielded lightning. A dragons blood ran in its veins. To buy its corpse for ten thousand? This is why merchants cant be trusted. But the meat and the leather are in terrible condition Considering the transportation costs and handling fees, thats just the right price. Dont be silly. In the first place, its true that the beasts meat is useless and the leather is badly damaged, but its not that they cant be used at all. Besides, the other parts are intact enough to be used for anything. The internal organs might have been unusable, but the eyes, claws and teeth were fine. And above all C Even if you sell only the bones of the thunder wolf dragon, youll get ten thousand gold. Dont you even know that much? Not just that C Among the wealthy aristocrats, there were those whod buy the whole corpse and have it stuffed. For such cases, the story behind the corpse would make its price soar much higher. For example, itd hunted down and eaten multiple captains of the Heretic Inquisition, but in the end had lost its life in the hands of Callius, the famous scapegrace of the kingdom who was also called the Hero of the North. Im not sure if youre doing it intentionally. But youre looking down on me too much. Hmm, Id forgotten for a moment. Callius wasnt somebody to accept such a lie and move on. He spread out three of his fingers. Thirty thousand. Thats too much! Twenty thousand! Even for a dragonblooded beast, thirty thousand was far too much. Come and read on our website wuxia worldsite. Thanks The price would vary depending on how much dragons blood remained Thats how bargaining worked. Thirty-five thousand. No, were bargaining, why are you going up! Bargaining takes time. Of course, the price goes up if you waste my time. No, who came up with that formula? Do you think this makes sense!? Forty thousand. Alright, I get it, thirty thousand! Forty thousand. Hell no! Why would I!? I dont even know if its really the descendant of a dragon or not, I dont know how much of the blood its inherited, thats too much! Forty thousand! No, buddy, come on! And look at it. Its a female! A female huh? Helena, who was being noisy, became quiet. Giving the corpse a once-over, she spoke in a strange tone. I think she mightve been pregnant. Did she give birth recently? Look, here. Theres milk. Truly. There were indeed traces. Did this bitch beget another bastard? Looks like she had a cub. Ah whats got you so cautious? Its unlikely, but Ill have to check. Callius pulled out the Thunderbolt Sword. He made a sharp incision across the belly of the beast. The blade had definitely gotten sharper. But that wasnt important right now. The blade caught on something. Callius ripped off the leathery skin covering the corpses stomach and began rummaging inside. He pulled out something like a pouch, and tore it open it to find what was hidden inside. It really had cubs, looks like. After cutting the thunder wolf dragons belly apart, what looked like its cubs came out. About five in number. They looked like wolf cubs. Unlike the thunder wolf dragon, their bodies werent covered with scales, and they just looked like normal wolf cubs. Did it mate with a wolf-type beast? Since the thunder wolf dragon had cubs, it had to have a mate. If both were of the same species, that wouldnt match with the quests name, Sprout of the Aftermath. However, seeing that the cubs didnt show any draconic characteristics, the mate seemed to be a simple wolf beast. How pitiful. A savage killed all these children before they could even see the light of the world. Just when he was about to stab his sword at Helena, who dared make fun of him C Wriggle. One of the cubs hed thought dead, squirmed. I think its alive! Huh? What are you doing!? Callius brought the sword to bear down upon the cub. Helenas eyes widened, as if asking how he could do that to something that couldnt even open its eyes. You be quiet. The tip of the sword quietly emitted a small spark of lightning. The cub whimpered and wiggled towards the sword. Its responding to the sound of thunder. So? Perhaps because the lightning came from its mother? The young cub seemed to be sensitive to it. It whimpered for a long time, squirming over its dead brothers, and touched the sword with its head. After that, it leaned back as if itd gotten comfortable and began to breath quietly. I was joking when I called it pitiful, you know? Its a beast. Its aura was tainted with demonic magic. Itd harm people one day. The only beasts that do no harm are the dead ones. Right now, it was only a feeble cub, but itd grow up and eat humans one day. Although faint, it had dragons blood, so itd have a vicious disposition. Once it tasted human flesh, itd devastate village after village, and grow into a disaster thatd drown the northern lands, and perhaps even the world. It was best to kill it right now. Thus spake the God, Valtherus. Spare not the demon. The remnants of the demons must be purged wherever they are found. Indeed. That was the right thing to do. But C Whats that? Trolls blood. Eh!? Didnt trolls already go extinct centuries ago, where did you get the blood from?! Our family has searched for so long, but we never found any traces! Unrefined troll blood. Because its mixed with magic, if you just drink it, youll become addicted to magic and soon perish. Generally speaking. Itd be fine for a beast, though. It was a baby thatd never even had milk. The trolls blood would be enough to restore its energy. C Kiyaakiyaaa. When Callius opened the bottles lid and started pouring out a drop of blood or two, it snarled as befit a beast. On that head that wiggled even though the eyes wouldnt open, as soon as blood dripped, the young cub began to sip. The Church will not allow it. The Church doesnt allow those magical beasts the nobles keep as pets, either. It was somewhat unusual. But there were many nobles who kept magical beasts as pets. Callius would just be another addition. But why, all of a sudden? None of your business. It was just a simple curiosity. Seeing the guy reacting to the lightning of the Thunderbolt Sword, Callius had gotten curious. There was no other reason. That sword. Is it because of that? Helena. Yes? Pretending at ignorance is virtue for a merchant. Why are you pretending at knowledge instead? Helena, startled, tapped her lips with a finger. Ummm Then, how about thirty-five thousand? Forty. Damn it! At least shave it down a little! I cant. Ive got a lot to spend on. Forty thousand. Ill take care of moving it, so dont even think about cutting the price. Really? Yeah. Dont worry, it wont get damaged if its inside my artifact. Nice! Helena, who agreed to the deal, didnt ask any further questions, as if she was feeling better already. Maybe by raising this guy, I might be able to strengthen the Thunderbolt Sword further. If that happened, the Thunderbolt Sword might rise in rank and become a vision sword. It was a slim chance. But if there was any chance at all, there was no reason not to try it. And C Read latest Chapters at Wuxia World . Site Only Callius eyes as he looked at the thunder wolf dragon cub held a hint of compassion. As soon as it was born, all its blood relatives departed and left it alone in the world, and it had to rely on a stranger itd met for the first time in its life in order to survive. It felt like he was looking at himself. Editors Notes: [1] ??? (lit. of the worms) is Orcals sobriquet. This clarifies why Druma was calling Orcal the only worm left earlier, since his nickname is literally worm. Poor guy. ?? can also mean exploration which indicates his abilities as a scout. Roving Worm is a compromise so that both meanings can be preserved. Suggestions welcome. Chapter 73 Its growing up fast. Bruns, who was watching the cub of the thunder wolf dragon, said with a curious look. Thats true. Was it because of the troll blood? The little guy, whod been the size of a palm at the start, had grown to the size of a small puppy within a month. There were limits to what could be fed to a cub who couldnt even open its eyes, and there was no substitute for mothers milk at hand, so theyd fed it troll blood instead. How much could something the size of a palm eat, anyway? Besides, Callius had several barrels full of troll blood, so as hed kept feeding it without much thought, it quickly grew. Already its teeth were sharp, and horns had begun to grow on its head. The draconic characteristics in its claws and scales, that shouldnt have shown themselves until it matured, were now also visible at first glance. Since itd started showing such characteristics, itd been fed a mixture of trolls blood and the blood of its mother. Along with one more thing C Its already using the power of thunder. While running wildly, it occasionally exhibited the power of lightning. Still weak, similar to a brush of static. C Keeeeeeeeing. Coming to Callius, it whined and tapped the sword at his waist. When Callius pulled out the Thunderbolt Sword and scattered a little lightning, it began licking the blade as if it was eating the lightning. Wow, thats amazing. Was it looking for the traces of its mother inside the Thunderbolt Sword? Or did it consider the Thunderbolt Sword itself as its mother? Thinking about it that way, it seemed pitiful, and one couldnt help but feel sorry for it. Poor bastard. Tsk. Moved by a little pity, Bruns tried to give it it a pat. Then the little guy growled and revealed its teeth. Too bad. I guess it thinks of you as its father, right, master? Youre half right. The cub responded to the lightning of the Thunderbolt Sword. At first, itd thought the swords power was just like its mothers, but after licking the sword and being struck by its lightning, itd understood that the sword was an even stronger existence. The same energy as itd been familiar with from its mothers belly, yet the aura was even stronger, so Bruns was probably only half right. Callius, who held this sword, was being thought of as the mother. Its like a puppy now, but Itll grow bigger. Now, neither troll blood or the blood of the thunder wolf dragon was enough to satiate it. It already craved meat, as befit a beast of prey. Come to think of it, why do you call it Vivi? Its just the name of a dog I had in the past. It doesnt mean anything. Its just a whim. Hearing Callius response, Helena could only shake her head as if she had nothing else to say. One month to move from the North to the South. After recovering the stolen Saddle of Humasys, Callius didnt try too hard to find another horse. Instead, he found a merchant wagon bound for the capital and chose to ride in relative comfort. In the beginning, the road was rough, and occasionally some beasts and bandits had to be swept away, but lately there hadnt been any such occurrences. Since they were now passing through cities, there wasnt anything dangerous on the road. So, when he was inside the carriage, Callius practiced the Six Peak Flowers technique, and when it stopped, he practiced the Other Shore Flower outside. Vivi, come here. And the rest of his time was devoted to Vivi. The guy happily ran around inside the carriage, occasionally stopping to poop or pee on Bruns, then coming up to Callius, begging and crooning, and being rewarded with meat. Callius naturally also fed it lightning from the Thunderbolt Sword and educated it on its use. Dragons and wolves. Because it was descended from such beasts, it had a smart brain, and it easily recognized Callius intentions, even beyond what it was taught. For a beast only a month old, it was surprisingly intelligent. Vivi, sit. Lie down. Get up. Jump. And what it was perfect at, was pretending to be dead. Vivi, bite. C Crooon! It dangled while biting the crotch of Bruns pants. Only one command left. Attack. A small flash of lightning struck Bruns at an unfortunate place. Oh shit! M-, master! Please stop using me as your training dummy! Ignoring Bruns cries, Callius stroked Vivis fur. Then he threw out a chunk of meat, so it could jump up and snatch it from the air. Well done. The tail that wagged like a motor was pretty cute. People who dont know better might think its a real dog. Now its ability wasnt at the level of a shock of static. Seeing how much itd grown in just one month, Callius wondered what would happen when it fully matured. Its mother, the thunder wolf dragon, couldve gone toe-to-toe against the orc warlord. In a one-on-one situation, it wouldve been the victor, and even in a many-to-one fight it wouldnt have fallen too far behind. The cub, fully grown, would be pretty strong. The amount of troll blood and blood of the thunder wolf dragon itd ingested wasnt small. Not only that, whenever it got bored, itd absorb the lightning off of the Thunderbolt Sword. Even so, I dont know if Ill be able to control it. If Callius couldnt control it, hed have no choice but to take its power for his own, like hed done to its mother. Was that not his goal from the start? I wont give you any affection. He couldnt afford to. Callius. Whats with that weird look on your face? What do you mean? I guess like the face of a child who really wants to eat sweets but instead tries to look stubborn about it? Dont be an idiot. Vivi, attack. C Croooon!! Spark! Hey! Why are you being so childish? Really! It really hurts! Attack, attack. Damn it! Wh-, where is it aiming! Helenas face was flushed red as she covered her heaving bosom with her arms. The attacks had landed at a very forbidden area. Is it because its a beast? Did it instinctively attack your weakness? Hehe, as if. This guys a male after all Callius immediately ordered Vivi to go after the smirking Bruns. Ugh! Why, why are you doing this, master! Youve got an unlucky smirk on your face. Oh shit! P-, please stop! C Crooon! Crooooon! Kieeeeeeeng! Kieeeeeeeng! I think you really must be touched in the head. Angry, Helena seeped into the shadows and disappeared. The commotion subsided, and the victorious Vivi was called back and rewarded with a few pieces of meat. Rumble. Just then, the carriage stopped. Whats going on? Ah, thats The driver looked troubled as he explained. Rohendel? The place before them was called Rohendel, and apparently the lord of the place himself was blocking the road through it. Why is he blocking the road? To collect taxes. If so, shouldnt they have taken a detour? This couldnt be the only path. Because the mountains are steep, and all the other roads are said to be infested with bandits. Itd waste more time, and put us in more danger as well. So, the only safe way was to go through Rohendel, but the lord who knew that was collecting a huge toll. How much is it? For merchant transportation, he takes 40% of all goods in kind. But what can we do? Hed wondered how much a toll tax could be, but this was nothing short of daylight robbery. Orcal, take care of it. Me? Its so annoying though Better annoyed than dead. All right. Orcal had become Callius follower. The bastards Worm Soul was quite useful, so Callius had appeased him like an adult and turned him into a subordinate. It hadnt been a particularly difficult process. Will you follow me? Come and read on our website wuxia worldsite. Thanks Dont bullshit! Theyd merely gone through a Q&A event, and each wrong answer had gotten the contestant a taste of lightning. Please, Ill follow you! Ill follow! Lets check, shall we? Orcal, writhing in pain, had often shouted that hed follow Callius, and every time Callius had drawn his sword. Youre not quite there yet. Oh no! I really, really, really want to follow you! Please let me follow you! However, the blade of the Judgment Sword had been muddy every time. Over the course of several days, Orcal had managed to finally demonstrate his sincerity, but only after being beaten almost to the point of death. Your heart is now as clear and transparent as this sword. Great. Ill take you with me. As could be seen, the results were great. Callius had legitimate concerns. Somebody in the upper ranks of the Inquisition had ordered the inquisitor-captains to get rid of him. Becoming a heretic inquisitor in this kind of a situation was no different than sticking your head into the jaws of a tiger. But this is also an opportunity. There were many eyes in the capital. There, itd actually be more difficult to assassinate him than in the North or some other remote place. The higher his reputation as a heretic inquisitor, the more difficult would it be for them to kill him. That was why hed kept Orcal alive. With him as an ally, along with Callius noble title, he should become a captain immediately after a short probation period. Thatd make things a lot easier. Itd be a good identity to lance the poisonous pus that had infected Carpe. Are you there? A worm of Orcals came in. It was the size of a beetle, and it sat on Callius hand as he knocked on its shell. Shortly after pouring in a little bit of divine power, he suddenly heard a voice in his ear. C Can you hear me? It was one of the abilities of the spirit sword, Worm Soul. This was better than the worms Callius had seen before. Tell me. C I think you should come. Guess Ill have to go deal with it. Callius grabbed the Judgment Sword from the air and got out of the carriage, Vivi trailing behind. As he walked step by step, he saw Orcal facing off against the lords soldiers, who were blocking the path. The lord had already come out and did not plan to overturn his stubborn decision. There were soldiers and knights in the vicinity too, quite a few. About thirty. Orcal, why didnt you clean things up yourself? The Churchs reputation has been in the mud for ages, you know? Without a good cause, even my hands are tied. This is why Callius had wanted the count title. The reputation of the Church had been dragged into the mud long ago. Despite facing the pressure from the empire, the pilgrims were not interested in war, and only continued their fanatical search for more and better carcasses. Clicking his tongue, Callius placed the sword on his shoulder and observed the lord. Keeping it short, he looked like a toad. Seeing that face full of greed, theres didnt seem to be any point in bothering with trivialities. Callius immediately approached and thrust the sword at the lord, who glared back at him. Wh-, what are you doing?! Clang! The soldiers also pulled out their swords as if a hornets nest had been kicked. But Callius didnt worry about the details. Did you bribe the bandits around here to force everybody to use this road? What, what nonsense! Contrary to his excuses, the colour of the blade turned black. As if the filth of the lords greed was being projected from the blade. It was obvious. Even with bandits roaming nearby, he didnt stop them, but rather made everybody pay a toll? If this wasnt a self-made play, what else could it be? You piece of trash. So there was no mercy in Callius hands. Slash! Ugh! L-, Lord!! The lords head was cut off. It flew through the air for a short moment, and then fell to the ground with a dull sound. Thump. Wh-, what is this! No! Why can I still talk!? The head was cut off, but the lord was not yet dead. His head was still alive[1]. This was one of the abilities of the Judgment Sword, a sword that was simultaneously called the most beautiful, as well as the cruellest. You wont die unless I allow it. When the Judgment Sword was used to discern lies and the liar was beheaded C The sword could defer the death. This trait was a bizarre ability of the Judgment Sword. Look carefully at how everything you held so dear falls apart. Orcal, seeing Callius gesture with a movement of his chin, sighed as if it was a bother and headed towards the castle. Orcals job was to drag everything unclean in this city into the light. There was no way a guy like this hadnt committed any corruption. What, what are you doing! No, who the hell are you to do this! What are you all doing! Kill this guy right now!! Try, if you think you can. It wouldnt be easy. Ugh! Ouch! M-, my body is ugh! Of course, for the knights and soldiers of such a small town, one Tyrant Sword was enough. Maybe they were finding it hard to lift even a single hand, so the soldiers and the knights couldnt budge at all and had no choice but to crouch down under the pressure. What, what are you all doing!! Ugh! You motherfucker! Let me go! Let me go!! The rolling head probably seemed interesting, so Vivi bit it by the hair and started playing with it as if it was a ball. It probably thought this was a new toy. In fact, it wasnt strange to think that it was a toy, since some of the estates theyd passed through also had things like this. Vivi. C Kieeeeeeeeng! Vivi trotted in with the lords head in its mouth. Callius grabbed the head with one hand and slowly started walking through the city. Some people were terrified at the sight, but others only thanked him. Some prayed, some called to God, some knelt and wept. All the houses in the city were shabby, on the verge of collapse, and there were hungry children on the streets, begging and stealing. Callius even saw children stealing bread while the crowds eyes were focused on him. This was common, here. In this world that he himself had created, there were plenty of people who starved others to fill their own bellies. This was the world he had made. So it had to be changed. In Carpe, where he would live C In this world he would live in C He didnt need such garbage. You dont deserve to be a lord. Crackle. The feudal lord burned. No! No! No! Throwing away the screaming head, covered in flames, Callius turned back. Kingdom QuestImperial Spies Save the kingdom from ruin by killing the spies of the empire. Number of spies killed: 2/?{Reward}Monarchs Flag Did you find it? Yes, here it is. A ledger and some envelopes. A ledger, in which all the corruption was written and accounted for. And the envelopes So he was a spy. Corruption can only spread so fast when the rot comes from the very top. The local lord had just been a tool, who did what the one above him told him to do. Whos his superior, do you think? I know who it is. The pinnacle of corruption, and the man whod probably instigated Callius assassination. The man whod been secretly leading Carpe to the cliff of utter ruin. Read latest Chapters at Wuxia World . Site Only Archbishop of the Order, Alhamtra. Alhamtra du Rohan Vallus. The serpent devouring the kingdom. Editors Notes: [1] A talking head is a common fantasy trope, but people never consider how one could talk without access to the lungs. But thats no different than the brain surviving without access to oxygen, either, so it seems the sword keeps the head connected to the body somehow? What witchery! Chapter 74 Inside the cathedral of the Church of Valtherus. Bishop Alvato had summoned Esther sol Ciliad, a promising genius of the Church and a candidate for becoming the next saint. Did you call me, sir? Indeed. How is Sullivian? Shes still healthy. In reality, she was getting weaker day by day, but Esther purposefully didnt mention that. Thats good, thats good. But I called you here for something else Alvato handed over a newspaper. Esther furrowed her eyebrows as she looked at a certain passage printed on it. Judge? It was a story about a man called the Judge. A man she knew well. Callius von Jervain. It was about him. He I heard hes become a count. The inheritances and titular appointments of the four noble houses dont need permission from the kingdom. Have you heard whats happened in the North yet? Yes. I know the gist. An attack by the orcs. The appearance of a warlord. Fierce battles. The shadow of the empire behind them. And a hero who had ended the war. Do you mean him? According to the report yes. The verification process has already been completed. I cant believe it either, same as you. He has changed, and is changing. Yeah. He certainly has But it was still pretty hard to believe. Because the man in question was the kingdoms biggest lunatic. Did he even take the enemy commanders head? The saga of the North was an ancient one. The North had always been fighting with the barbarians and steadily expanding the territory of the kingdom. But they hadnt won every single battle. In the history of the painful defeats the North had suffered in the past, the word warlord could be found repeating again and again. Now that the orcs great general is dead, the North will be at peace for a while. Its a good thing. The dead should also be able to close their eyes and rest in peace. Yes, thats good. Honestly, Im not sure if he really couldve beheaded the warlord. Written reports are not completely credible. Thats why I called you. What do you How was Callius at that time? No, I should call him Count Jervain now. Anyway C How was he? Did he seem capable of killing a warlord? Was the bit about getting help from a relic, really nonsense? When I met him back then His skills were on the higher side, even among the pilgrims devoted to the sword. Perhaps similar to a low-level paladin? The Silver Flower Wave Sword art had given Esther a powerful blow, but if his ability was only at that level, the first great warrior hed met wouldve finished him off, forget about killing a warlord. But if I tell the truth In the Church, Callius was suspected of monopolizing a sacred relic. Her testimony might put him in danger again. Did that really matter, though? C He might have put in all that effort to become a person that suits you. Sullivians earlier words suddenly resurfaced in her mind. Esther felt hesitant to speak. During this short period, he grew to the point where he can kill a warlord? Could such a thing really happen? Was Stellas swordsmanship really capable of that? Was there really a relic? Such doubts were arising one after another, but Esther simply shrugged them off. I cant be sure. I unquestionably lost, so I cant really swear to the full extent of his abilities. Maybe hes been hiding his skills all this time. She didnt lie. She might not have been speaking the objective truth, however. To say he hid his skills Why would you think so? It might be because of the sword art hes learned. Its not some ordinary technique, its the Silver Flower Wave Sword art of Stella herself. He mustve been learning her swordsmanship from a young age. This was, naturally, all conjecture. Just one of the many assumptions in Esthers heart. But the one who spoke it out loud was none other than Esther sol Ciliad. That alone carried weight. He mustve thoroughly hidden it to avoid peoples attention. Although Esther wasnt very good at wordplay C She wasnt lying. She truly didnt think that Callius couldve learned that sword art in a short time. Unlike the paladins of the Church, who relied solely on the might of their swords C Stellas swordsmanship rather depended on maximizing ones own skill with the sword, so it mustve taken a long time to learn. That makes sense. If hed been learning Stellas swordsmanship since he was young, he wouldnt have shown it off recklessly. Rather, he wouldve tried to avoid attracting attention by acting like a fool. So thats how it is. As she watched Alvato exhale as if deeply impressed, complex emotions warred inside her head. Although she was just talking about some of her guesses, she couldnt escape the shameful feeling that came with lying. Now that hes started showing his skills a storm is sure to come. An irresistible tempest of blood. Esther sol Ciliad. Sir. Massaging his shining bald head, Alvato asked sternly. That Count Jervain, can you convince him to come to our side? You mean the moderate faction? Callius is a more attractive card now than he was three years ago. The radicals will probably try to recruit him, too. Of course, Milliman doesnt know his true potential yet, so now is our chance. The infamy of the kingdoms biggest piece of garbage was not so easily erased. Moreover, Bishop Milliman, the leader of the extremist faction, was still suspicious that Callius was hoarding a relic. Itd be good to rein in Bishop Milliman before he takes any reckless action. Now is the time to avoid war, even for our timid queen. If he could use the man, Alvato might be able to cool off the old warhawks of Carpe. If they could stabilize the country for a bit, maybe a ray of light would shine even on the kingdom that was so covered with dark clouds. What you do for God is for the country, and what you do for the country is for God. The royal audience chamber. Somewhat young C Looking sad and uneasy C A woman with silver hair, braided straight, sat upon the throne. The timid queen of the Carpe Kingdom. [Clara von Agatha Bright]. Silver hair that was the stigma of God. Sacred silver pupils. The head and the eyes filled with the grace of God, that allowed one to understand all the things in the world, and see through all reason C Proved her royal bloodline. I have seen Your Majesty. Come and read on our website wuxia worldsite. Thanks The Queen of Carpe, whose eyelashes had also turned silver C Clara, despite her subjects brass-necked rude behaviour, greeted him with a gentle face. Archbishop Alhamtra. Long time no see. Yes, being able to see you grow up day by day truly is the grace of God, is it not? I am once again reminded of the majesty of God. Whether she understood the hidden meaning of the archbishop or not, who could say? The Queen of Carpe, whose throne seemed too wide for her frame, only smiled silently. This is also why I wanted to see you, Your Majesty. This time, the prince managed to put the rebellion at Aliorro to rest, but the damage has been great. And even in the West, the imperial spears are diligently digging into the wounds of our kingdom. Now its time to make a decision. What do you think? It wasnt something he shouldve dared to say before his monarch, but Clara didnt say anything. Tsk. The powerless monarch. Clara, the Timid Queen. A queen who couldnt make any decisions by herself. That was how the world evaluated the Queen of Carpe. How about Prince Chloe? The people of the Church have worked hard, and he seems to have gotten a good nights sleep. I see. Theyve indeed worked hard. The Mad Prince, Chloe. He turned Oliorro into ruins, and he didnt even stop there, so there was a lot of slaughter and unrest, until recently when he barely managed to fall asleep. Once he fell asleep, hed be quiet for several months, so it was fortunate in a way. Your Majesty, rather than that C Archbishop, Im tired and a little unwell. Could you please go back? Today, I see. The archbishop rose from his seat, glancing at the knight standing firmly by the queens side. The Guardian Sword of the kingdom C Victor. And next to him stood the Lord of Tristar C Gerald. As long as these two swords guarded her C There was no one who could resist the Timid Queen. Creak. Thud. The archbishop, after a final glance back at the tightly closed door to the royal audience chamber, started walking down the hallway. The more he walked down the long corridor, the more nobles and priests gathered by his side. We have to use Lutheons failure as an opportunity, but the queen is far too timid. All we need to do is to withdraw a few troops from the West. Then everything would be over. If it werent for that old man taking the queens side, the work wouldve finished by now. Hes being a nuisance. Even though the pope himself didnt have the same power as he used to have Archbishop. Actually Callius? Yeah, hes, well, hes ruining the work weve done for our cause. What should I do with him Couldnt they even handle an idiot lunatic and had to come complain before him? Since the officials of the country were so useless and empty-headed, how could the country work properly? Do I have to personally catch and crush every annoying fly one by one? M-, my apologies! However, as if hed never said anything harsh to begin with, the archbishop patted the noblemans shoulder with a gentle expression. No need to apologize. Look away from what you dont want to see, and cover your ears if you dont want to hear it. Then Dont worry, Ill take care of it myself. Ill deal with it just like Ive done before. Now that youve said that, archbishop, I can finally feel relieved. Truly, as long as you stand at the top of Carpe, the empire wouldnt be able to hurt us The archbishop smiled silently. They really are just brain-dead idiots. Thats why the country was like this. They were all nodding their heads to the same beat, not understanding that their actions were slowly devouring Carpes foundations. It was truly a miserable country. Nobles who had no idea they were ruining their own dynasties, senior officials who had no firm principles, and the queen who did not make any decisions. This country is bound to collapse. Yes? What did you just say? No, no. The days so nice that Id gotten a bit distracted, and was thinking of something else. His thoughts ran a little differently, mused the archbishop. He wanted to paint a different landscape. Then, that bastard He must be dealt with, yes. Anything that disturbs our cause must be wiped clean. For God. And for the country. For God, and for the country! Kingdom Quest Save the kingdom from ruin by killing the imperial spies. Number of spies killed: 7/? {Reward}: Monarchs Flag This is fine. Catching the spies was still going smoothly. To cut the necks of those bastards, and purely incidentally swallow down half their wealth C it was a very satisfying process. Once I dispose of the thunder wolf dragon, I should get about 40,000. I already had about 10,000 in hand. And cleaning up the nobles has gotten me around 30,000. About eighty thousand gold in total. It was a respectable enough amount. Originally, he mightve needed to exchange the money for goods for easier transportation, but Callius didnt need any of that. Because he could keep everything inside his subspace. Where are you going to spend all that money? Want me to take care of it for you? I refuse. Of course, gold coins should be put to work rather than hoarded. If you entrust them to me, I can guarantee a profit of more than 30 percent! What about the fee? Half the revenue! I refuse. Then 30 percent! How about it? Ill agree to 10 percent. That wont even cover the labour costs! 25 percent! 20 percent. You dont need more than that. Helenas ability to work with money was unquestionable. She would always be able to make money somehow. The current growth of the Bolivian family owed a large part of it to Helenas involvement in business since her childhood. And the reason was deeply rooted in the unique ability of her sword. Okay, 20 percent! How much are you investing? Read latest Chapters at Wuxia World . Site Only Callius had eighty thousand gold coins in his hand right now. Twenty thousand gold to start with. Eh! What about the rest? The remaining sixty thousand gold had to be spent elsewhere. After all, how could one catch rats without sprinkling some bait? Chapter 75 I see. So thats what happened A middle-aged man with long hair and a long beard. The leader of the radical faction within the Church of Valtherus, Bishop Milliman. He gulped involuntarily upon hearing of the deaths of Druma and Ryburn. He says they died fighting fiercely with a dragonblooded beast, a thunder wolf dragon. The report from Orcal[1]. Millimans narrow eyes flashed. Callius, who was with them, lived, and yet the two inquisitor-captains died fighting Is there something fishy going on? Could something like this be safely written off as a coincidence? Milliman was deep in thought. This report is from Captain Orcal, commander of the third squad. Theres no doubt about that. One of his spirits brought it in. Orcals spirit sword was sheathed in a scabbard. When he died, the sword would also die. As long as he was alive, others couldnt use the spirits he controlled. Since the swords blade was sheathed within Orcals rosario C Clearly, he himself had sent this report. Captain Orcal might have betrayed us. Is that even possible? Just because of one bastard called Callius? What if he has a sacred relic in is hands? What if it wasnt useful just for himself? What if he could grant its abilities to his subordinates? If it can enhance both swordsmanship and physical abilities, are you sure you yourself would never fall for such sweet temptation? Even then, Id never betray my faith! Despite such bold aspirations, Milliman did not believe the young paladins words. Even if death approached, would he be able to say that so confidently? Even with a blade pressed at his neck, slowly cutting into the skin, and his lifeblood continuously pouring out onto the earth? Milliman shook his head. The young man had no idea. Mans base survival instincts, and the corruption it can lead to, have to be experienced by yourself. Only then can one know how frail are mens hearts, how weak in the face of their own mortality. Do you want me to call the chief inquisitor, sir? No need. Hes already here. Through the gap in the open door, the leader of the Heretic Inquisition could be seen. Bishop Milliman watched as the paladin straightened up at the sight. You called? No. Perfect timing! I knew you were going to call me. I noticed it and came in advance! I keep telling you, stop saying perfect. Im sorry. It must be a perfectly annoying habit. A righteous man, except for his habit of tacking on the word perfect to everything he said. The leader of the Heretic Inquisition, whose most distinguishing feature was an impressive scar than ran straight across his nose. Genos von Gradas. Alright, Genos, now take a look at this. This Genos, holding the document Bishop Milliman had passed to him by the edge, tilted his head as he read the contents C a recommendation. A letter of recommendation from a captain, is it. But arent there a lot of rumours about this guy? It wasnt a recommendation from some bottom-rung inquisitor. The letter came from a squad captain, and held a completely different significance. Callius von Jervain? Is this the same bastard that I know? Isnt he rather the perfect choice to interrogate, instead of recruit? Instead of making him a heretic inquisitor, it wouldnt be a wonder if they took him in for questioning. He was the one whod stolen a sacred relic. The executives all naturally knew about him. And there were so many nasty rumours about the man, too. So why did a letter of recommendation suddenly come in? Thats why I called you. I came by myself, though? Fine, why are you here, then? This is perfect! It must be fate that has led me here. I was thinking about eating and taking a nap, but I smelled something interesting from your visit, Bishop. Milliman sighed at the sight of Genos making exaggerated sniffing motions with his nose. Anyway, Ill leave this to you. I dont know if Ill be much help, though. A more perfect choice would be I told you to stop saying it, you bastard! Hmm, Bishop, you get extremely angry very easily. You arent the leader of the extremist faction for nothing. Hahaha!! Wasnt that funny? It was a joke, but no one laughed, so Ill just laugh by myself. Hahahahahaha! This is fun! Swoosh! As Genos, the leader of the Heretic Inquisition, disappeared like the wind, Bishop Milliman pressed his hands to his throbbing temples. Is this going to be alright, sir? Even though he seems like that, his abilities arent in doubt. Its not like he got to be the Chief Inquisitor for nothing. If he had a bit more ambition, he wouldnt have stopped there either. He wouldve risen to some position even above that. He was a man evaluated as having the qualities to become a legendary paladin[2], the highest position one could climb to with pure swordsmanship. Even if he looks that way, his bloodline still contains the traces of God. Ah, the East Just like there was Jervain in the North C And just like there was Ruydren in the South, there was Gradas in the East. He has the bloodline of the Gradas family, one of the four great noble houses of Carpe. There will be no mistakes this time Hed surely be able to determine if that scoundrel had a relic or not. This is also a strict order from the archbishop, so we really cant afford any mistakes. And C He hasnt had a good relationship with Callius since they were children. The North and the East. The two were old friends. The capital of the Carpe Kingdom. A famous tavern in the city of Karradi. [Lantern Facing the Wind]. In that bar with a long tradition and history, food and drink was flowing freely. What? You mean that crazy bastard? One of the knights whod put down the beer mug asked with a frown. Didnt you hear the rumours? Call him crazy and he might come to lop your head off. Hey, I wish. That motherfucker might come? If only. Im not kidding! Most of the North has already been swept clean by the Judge, you know?! The judge? They say he carries a sword that has a mysterious ability to discern lies. And that you dont die even if your head gets chopped off by it! Callius the Judge. This hot-blooded nickname was becoming popular. What the hell? Can you even call that a sword? If you have your head cut off, you have to be dead! Its true! He carries a decapitated head with him and burned all the riches of the corrupt lords! What a bizarre notion, to say that you cant die even if you have your head cut off. Besides, carrying it and burning the lords wealth in front of peoples eyes! Oh, its a shame! If youre going to burn it, just give to me! It was painful just thinking about it. And it was terrifying. Anyway, stop talking nonsense. If you get caught, youll die a dogs death! A dogs death! At the other side of the tavern. There was a group who happened to be the subject of the story that the knights were gossiping about. Hey, Judge. Would you like to buy me a beer, please? Buy one yourself, Helena. It was Callius group. Youve made so much money! Shouldnt a guy be happy to buy a girl as beautiful as me a beer? After depositing some of the by-products of the thunder wolf dragon and receiving the advance payment, Callius was now flush with money. Excluding the twenty thousand gold hed invested in Helena, he still had sixty thousand. This amount was slightly more than the annual tax of a large-ish territory. Come and read on our website wuxia worldsite. Thanks But the rumours are strange. You didnt burn any money, did you? The wealth Callius had obtained by robbing the corrupt nobles estates was well over thirty thousand gold. Even though half the money had been reserved for the territorial residents, this was still quite a lot. The gold coins that were carefully collected were now to be used to rebuild the kingdom. Using it for myself is no different than using it for the kingdom, after all. Callius sincerely thought so. Master, would you like a beer? Alright. Order some more meat to feed Vivi, hes got a healthy appetite. Callius, who was eating meat with a knife and fork, looked noble even when he was eating, so Helena was satisfied just watching him eat. In any case, Callius liked the meat in this tavern so much that there were already more than ten plates piled up. Master, arent you favouring Vivi too much these days? Im still more useful, right? Dont talk nonsense. Comparing Bruns and Vivi, of course the latter was more useful. What Bruns did was chores that anybody could do, so if Callius had to prioritize, Vivi would definitely win. Aside from that, compared to the young and cute Vivi, wasnt Bruns getting on in his tears? If only he were a woman. Besides, his time in the battlefield has left Bruns with a rugged body full of corded muscles, so he wasnt exactly a pretty picture to look at. Come to think of it, why am I carrying this guy with me? Callius was once again plunged into doubt. But Callius train of thought, as he was weighing Bruns worth for a while, was broken. You, the one with the beast. Because someone was talking. ? It was the first time hed seen this man. Callius really didnt want to come in contact with this guy, with his pale white blonde hair, plump cheeks and narrow slit-like eyes. As Callius watched him, silent, the man smirked and held out his hand. Sell it. Ill pay a good price. What did he say? Youre asking me to sell Vivi? Vivi? Shit, what a ridiculous name. Id rather call it something like Charles. Sell Charles to me. He named it as if it already belonged to him. It was absurd, but Callius had only just arrived in the capital. He didnt want to cause any fuss, so he calmly answered with only words. Go away. He tried to wave the man off as if he was swatting away a fly, but got an unexpected response. What? Dont you know who I am? The man was making an odd expression. As if not being able to recognize him was a fresh and funny occurrence. Come to think of it, his face looked like that of a young bandit, but his clothes were made of quite luxurious fabric. When he looked at Helena to check if she knew, she just shrugged, indicating she was in the same boat. Haa! Youre in Karradi and you dont know me? Hey! You guys over there! Who am I?! Young Master Viole! One of the knights whod been watching the scene closely responded in a polite manner. Viole? C Hes the eldest son of Count Artemion. Orcal, who was quietly sipping his beer, conveyed through a worm. The eldest son of Count Artemion. The guy did have some background. He was the son of one of the few counts of the kingdom. Besides, if it was Count Artemion C It was interesting. Now do you know? So, hand over Charles to me. I, Viole, am known for my eyes, and I can tell that it isnt an ordinary wolf, so Ill happily pay the price. Viole took a bag of gold coins from his arms and tossed it on the table. Judging by the clinking sound and the size, it had a dozen gold coins at most. But the guy was confident. This should be enough. They arent your usual gold coins, theyre imperial ones, so this should be more than enough. Imperial gold coins? Oh, imperial gold coins! Theyre hard to find in the kingdom. They had less impurities and were engraved with sophisticated gold engraving, so they werent easy to forge. So they were valued at about ten times the kingdoms gold coins. Is that so. He slapped Helenas hands that were fiddling with the coins, stopping her excited explanation, and put the pouch of gold into his sleeve. It was sad that a noble of the kingdom was paying with imperial gold coins, but what could he do? The reality was that it was common knowledge that the kingdom only had a scant few years left before it was swallowed by the empire. The imperial coins certainly felt a bit heavier than normal gold coins, and had higher purity. Anyway, they belonged to him now. You know how to behave. Then Ill take care of this guy. Vivi, attack. C Crack! Ugh! How dare this bastard C!! Viole got angry and tried to hit Vivi, but Vivi instinctively emitted a stronger electric current in response. Itd grown a little bit bigger in the past few days, and it had become familiar with wielding lightning. Now the lightning it emitted was as thick as a spiders web. Ugh! Strong enough to chastise a rude nobleman. White steam rose from Violes head, which had been hit by Vivis thunderbolt. Seeing how he trembled, it had been a pretty painful hit. Hey! You all! Why is no one!! It must have been quite painful, since Violes eyes had turned red as he shouted for help. The knights seated at various tables stood up as if they had been waiting for this moment. A chance to have the eldest son of Count Artemion in their debt. But unfortunately, they met the wrong opponent. Stab. Callius drew his sword and stabbed it on the floor. BoomC! In an instant, an intangible pressure pressed down on the area. No one could budge. I cant, move! This spirit level Its a high paladin! It wasnt limited to just the knights whod been escorting Viole, everybody else seated inside the tavern were affected as well. It was if theyd been glued to the earth. You what did you do to my knights? I dont think theres any need to answer somebody whos struggling again such a young beast. You bastard!! Creak. Callius got up and looked down at Viole. The moment his eyes met with those heartless grey pupils, Violes body was filled with an indescribable sensation that made him tremble from head to toe. I owe Count Artemion a debt. Tell him that the debt has been repaid today. Considering that the debt of a sacred stone was repaid with the price of his sons life, it was cheap enough. As Callius left the tavern, Violes bloodshot eyes followed him. Ignoring that gaze, Bruns trailed after Callius, and asked him a question as they walked. Will this be fine? Itd be nice if he gave me an excuse. Count Artemions wealth was worth salivating over. Read latest Chapters at Wuxia World . Site Only I have to take him down anyway. For the sake of the future, it wouldnt be good to keep him alive. Editors Notes: [1] In these chapters the author consistently misspells Orcals name as ??? (Oscar), but were not going to keep that. [2] ?? ??? (lwicheu palladin), the author himself anglicizes it as reach paladin in the raws. We think the word he wanted to use was rutz, which comes from an Old German word meaning renowned. Well be using legendary paladin as the translation. Chapter 76 You idiot!! SlapC! Ugh! F-, father! Why am I in the wrong! That bastard was the one who insulted me! Why. Because the one who insulted you is Callius of Jervain! Callius? You mean that lunatic!? But his aura Itd been stronger than even the average paladin. Most of the knights hadnt even been able to move, pressed down by it! Viole. The reason Ive been so tolerant of your accidents, is because you have a good eye for things. But if you can only see things but not people, I cant leave you be anymore! Why is that guy suddenly so important?! Why? Give me a reason! When are you going to come to your senses? Even the biggest piece of trash in the kingdom is now properly doing his part, but you Even such a maniac was doing his part? What do you Count Artemion sighed. There was a great war in the North. The barbarian orcs invaded. Do you know who ended the war? No way. Thats right. The greatest idiot in the kingdom, Callius. He was the one who put an end to it. It might just be a rumour, but they say that he took the head of the orc warlord. No, thats ridiculous! How. How could that guy have gone to war! And, killed a commander!! Afterwards, they say that he came to the South and cut down all the corrupt nobles in his way. They call him the Judge, or something. It cant be! That guy. But that aura he had showed had indeed been astonishing. Was this truly the same man they used to call scapegrace, and maniac? There are many rumours, but if what you heard is true, then the price of that sacred stone must have been repaid with your life. Tsk. The debt Callius had owed Count Artemion was now gone. Because of his useless son. Not everything has been ascertained yet. So be more discreet from now on. And from now on C Take care to not harm the family. Bang! Viole left the office, his fists clenched and his eyes bloodshot. Callius! Viole ran straight ahead. He ran and ran towards his own annex, and headed to the underground basement from there. Im going to make you regret it, Callius!! In the basement, there were a number of demonic beasts, locked behind iron bars. Callius left the tavern and walked down the streets of Karradi. Unlike the North, the weather was cool and quite comfortable. Since the weather was so nice, there were a lot of people on the streets. Contrary to how it was called a ruined country, the people of Karradi seemed to be at ease. In the North, the castle almost fell not long ago, but its so peaceful here. Hey, master. Are you all right? What if that counts son Bruns seemed worried about messing with the son of a count. So Callius told Bruns one thing. Im a count, too. Ah! Thats true! Heh heh I forgot! Helena cut in on the conversation, leaving Bruns and his pointless smirk behind. Even if youre both counts, the meaning and weight behind your titles are different. The titles of the four nobles are fixed as counts, but their status and voice are equivalent to a duke. The founding king of Carpe had feared that the power of the four nobles would grow too large, so hed set things up this way. It didnt seem to have worked, though. By the way, Helena. How long are you going to follow me? Whos following whom? Youre mistaking things. Its been a while since Ive been to Karradi, so Im just going to meet some friends and then stop by the Church. Then, lets break up here. It was very easy to attract attention with Helena by his side. That could indeed be helpful at times, but now Callius wanted to go somewhere quiet. Whatre you going to do? Theres nothing to do now that the letter of recommendation has been delivered, right? Ive got some work of my own. Uh alright then. See you later. Leaving behind Helena, who had disappeared into the shadows, Callius moved on. Did she look annoyed, do you think? Dont be silly. Why would she suddenly be annoyed? But master, whatre you going to do? Im going to find a spirit crafter. The first thing to do was to find a crafter who specialized in alchemy, to purify the trolls blood Callius had on hand. If possible, itd also be good to extract the dragonblood essence from the blood of the thunder wolf dragon hed gotten this time, and to transform the byproduct materials into an artefact. If it was Karradi, there would be somebody decent here. Callius was confident in finding them. And just in case it didnt work out, he needed to find the blacksmith of the Church. Hed left his broken spirit sword behind, but he had to prepare a second plan in case Dexter failed to patch it up. Ill have to wander around a bit until I get a summons from the Church. There were many open questions he needed answers to, like the seed of the defeated god, or the holy grail. Itd be good to investigate how far the kingdom has gone downhill. Come to think of it, Cedric of Tristar was also due to return soon, so itd be good to prepare for that in advance. If Cedric had found the relic as Callius had expected, hed have to help him settle the Twin Gods down in Carpe, and if he came back without it, Callius would have to go himself. In order to rebuild Carpe, several churches would be needed. If its Cedric C Now, unlike before, Callius wouldnt just have to lie down and take a beating. It might be a good match But I have no intention of doing that. Yes? Its nothing. Lets go. After a while C His feet stopped. He could feel someones gaze. What is it? About four, no, fourteen. Yes?! Considering the aura they emitted here in public, were they assassins? What could be their purpose or motive? I cant believe Viole would hire some assassins right away then was it the nobles whove been on pins and needles[1] due to my actions? That might be the case. Because hed cut quite a few heads of corrupt people on his way to Karradi. Callius. Why did you have to come to Karradi? Wed all have been fine if you just died somewhere without ever showing your face. In a deserted alley C There were several people, wearing black hoods. Well? However, Callius expression changed when took a glance at the speaker. The soft curves under the black cloth were telling him that she was a woman. Were nobles hiring female assassins these days? While he was thinking something like that, more unexpected words came out of her mouth. Because of you, my sisters are still wandering around and struggling. Sisters? As soon as she finished her words, eyes filled with resentment appeared under the black hoods. All the assassins, numbering over a dozen, were women. Thirteen pilgrims, one paladin. They were all pilgrims and paladins. They were all clergy from the Church. Didnt I tell you three years ago? Dont set foot in this place ever again!! Three years ago? Ah Three years ago C Hed almost died once. The Prodigal Son of the Order. Because of that damn trait. Master! Let me handle this! I specialize in lovers quarrels! Do you want to get stomped on so bad, you bastard? Screw off! Kkkgh!! Bang!! Bruns, who was now buried in the broken rubble that had been a wall, was out. Looked like he got one-shotted. How useless. Even after going through the war in the North As always, Bruns really was useless. Die!! Looking at the frenzied nuns swarming in C Haaah. Callius couldnt help but sigh. Sects. In the Order of Valtherus, acolytes were gathered into such a religious group from an early age, who had to then pass several tests to become monks. The monks practiced swordsmanship, and underwent the process of becoming a pilgrim. The process was full of hard, repetitive training, under the eyes of the Church, so they could devote their all to the service of God. Thats why The men and the women naturally werent supposed to be in contact. Of course, it was impossible for there to be absolutely no contact, but that didnt mean just anybody could end up being called a prodigal son. First of all, the training for the men and the women were held separately, in different buildings. The men trained in the far east side of the campus. The women, in the west. It shouldve been hard for them to even see each others faces. But how did Callius pass that high hurdle? In a sense, he was kind of a great man. I didnt even go out of my way, you know. It wasnt Callius who had to take the trouble. It was the nuns who crossed the wall at night instead. Just at a word from the man. Anyway, this was all ancient history right now. I really shouldnt have put that setting in. But he couldnt help it now. Even if he did regret it a bit. It was already water under the bridge. To be honest, even if it werent for the setting, Callius wouldve still had no choice but to have affairs with other people. With this handsome face of his, even if he didnt bother to go out and look for girls, women would still be attracted to him like flies to honey. This face was the root cause of it all! Really, being handsome is a sin. He was just paying the price. Die!! Enemy of all women! Die!! Why couldnt you just love me! Whoosh! Crack! Callius didnt even draw his sword. He simply avoided their attacks with a perplexed look on their faces. An attack hit a stack of boxes that stood before an alleyway store. Crack, they burst into fragments, and the pilgrims swords swept in hidden among them. But to him, the attacks just looked too slow. Really. Hed grown so much that there was no comparison to how hed been three years ago. In the northern lands, hed danced between life and death on the battlefield. Facing innumerable orcs and orc warriors. He whod faced the warlords axe couldnt be cut with just this. Three years ago it wouldve surely killed him, but to Callius as he was now, it seemed like a childs prank. The sensation that he felt keenly as he fought C Slow, and full of loopholes. They didnt co-ordinate with each other, either. They just expressed their emotions through their swords, and swung at will. They were pilgrims indeed, but their levels werent that high. Should he call this luck? But it was true that something was missing from the fight. Besides, the reason behind the fight was also somewhat awkward. It was difficult for Callius to draw his sword. So I grabbed the handle of a long, round vase thatd been thrown around, and struck the attacking pilgrim on the head. Thump, claaangC! Clink! Ouch! Thump! The pilgrim stumbled and fell. As Callius lowered his torse and instantaneously stepped in, the startled pilgrim stabbed out with her sword. Seeing that she was holding a rapier, she seemed to be good at thrusting. Turning his head to avoid it by a hair, Callius hit her abdomen with an open palm. Bump! Kaha!! Baaang! Even if he didnt use any divine power, his body that had been strengthened by the purity of his spirit, quickly overwhelmed the female pilgrim. Stop being annoying. Ugh! Embracing her from behind, he spoke with an annoyed face, and his breath ruffled her hair. Then the nuns, who had all been about to charge him, blushed and stopped in place. Again with that face! Dont seduce us with that voice! Come on, Sister! You swore to God that youll kill him!! The situation was getting worse. If things went on like this, hed only start seeing more things he never wanted to witness. So, for now C I think its best to avoid it. This motherfucker is kidnapping our sister!! Whish! ClangC! He grabbed the pilgrims hand, controlled her sword, and swung. She tried to shake him off, but to no avail. As if dancing a waltz to the tune of a soundless symphony, he repelled each pilgrim one by one as they came. Stop struggling. Uh, what She blushed. Even in this situation, she wasnt sane. I see. Since these are the people who offered their hearts to somebody like Callius, none of them are normal. Maria! What are you doing! Sister Maria! Have you forgotten our oath!? I cant help it either! And he smells so good! We know! You, you devilish bastard! Give Maria back!! As he listened, Callius felt that even his own mind was starting to rot. He just wanted to use this woman as a shield and quickly get out of this place That was then C WhooshC! Claaaang! Screeeech! Creeeeeak! Sparks fluttered from where the single sword that had flown in like the wind struck Callius blade. A paladin is a paladin, after all. Unlike the pilgrims C She had exquisite timing. A surprise attack and a sharp edge. The aura contained in the sword was different. Callius. Youre still playing with the sisters, I see. A paladin in a black hood blocked Callius path, and lifted her blue-hued blade. It was absurd to be criticized for what he hadnt done, though, so Callius had no choice but to respond. Ive always stayed quiet. Theyre the ones who eagerly came to me. Dont insult the sisters, you bastard. WhiiiiiiishC claaaang!! Her strength, speed and technique differed from the pilgrims whod been attacking him so far. Callius nudged the wrist of the sister he was holding, apparently named Maria, and let the paladins sword pass by. Hed learned this method of parrying in his last fight with the orc warlord, while in the throes of enlightenment brought by Death Verse Composition. He hadnt had many chances to test it thus far, but this was a pretty good opponent. Maria, relax. He hugged her tight. Marias face was red as a tomato that looked like it was about to burst, and she answered with a hazy expression. Yes Editors Notes: [1] ? ?? (lit. numb feet), to be anxious about something, to have an uneasy conscience. Chapter 77 Dont listen to this guy, Sister! Ye-, yes!? Maria was shocked out of her daze. Just listen to me. Ill show you something interesting. Uh, what do you Hold on tight. Damn it! Whiiiiiish, thud thud thud! Kyaaaaaa! Embracing the pilgrim, Maria, Callius whirled into the air, his feet finding purchase on the walls and catapulting them both up to the roof. Step. Wow, that was a surprise Callius!! Give her back! But he was still being chased. Callius was looking down, thinking how they were sticking to him like a leech, and saw Bruns waving from where hed been buried inside the collapsed wall. Crazy. Did he have no idea what situation they were in? Or so Callius thought, but then he noticed Bruns was holding Vivi by his side. Meaning, he didnt need to worry about Vivi. I guess hes got some use. So what to do now? Killing them all was a bit of a tricky proposition. These were all women who said they liked him, so killing them all would be a tad weird, right? Hey, what are you going to do now? Maria asked cautiously. Because she was still in his arms, her face was red as a beet, and she was trembling so much that it was as if he could hear the crazy beating of her heart. What would you like to do? Ru-, run away. Many of the sisters are gathering at the news of your appearance, Master Callius. More paladins will be coming. How cute. Ye-, yes?! Ahaha Maria, whose face was already blushing so hard it looked like she could explode any moment, was so dazed by the sudden compliment that she fainted dead away. Even Callius himself was taken aback for an instant by the words thatd slipped out of his mouth. But he soon regained his composure. This was probably because of the characteristics. In the North, the characteristic of the scapegrace had bothered him off and on, but here the trait of the prodigal son seemed to be the culprit. I hadnt considered the characteristics in my plans. While becoming a heretic inquisitor, he hadnt considered his own sinful characteristics. It was a disaster. Stab! Callius, you bastard!! It was the same polite paladin as before. As soon as she managed to climb onto the roof, she rushed at him and swung her sword. ClaaangC! Callius dodged, still hugging Maria, and the blow smashed on the roof. What have you done to Maria! I havent done anything. I just called her cute. Dont lie! Then why did she faint like this! Im sorry. However, it was unlikely that she would believe his story, so he again wielded Marias sword. Not a life sword, just a plain carcass. The pale blue blade was proof of that. A longsword with no special features. However, the paladin facing him was using a greatsword with far longer reach. It was shaped like a sabre, with the blade slightly curved upwards. Callius. It seems youve really gotten your hands on a relic. Youre moving completely differently compared to three years ago. Was there such a rumour already out and about? It didnt really matter, though. Rumours dont last more than a few days. Youre really interested in me, I see. You shouldve just tried confessing with all your heart. Although, I wouldnt have accepted it. Craaack. Shut up!! Its a shame that I couldnt kill you three years ago. But even if youve beem empowered by the relic, your dull swordsmanship cant touch me! You have a different kind of charm than Maria. Did you come to my bedroom too? Unintentional nonsense kept coming out of his mouth. The paladin, shamed, smashed the roof again and rushed in close. Die!! A momentary burst of power. The purity of her spirit power wasnt bad, and the sword she wielded was clean. It wasnt bad, per se, but C Craaaack. It wasnt something that would work on Callius. Her sword, as it came to entangle with Callius, suddenly turned in a circle, the aim of the blades tip moving from the top to the bottom. The paladin, startled, stepped back. ! Her eyes widened as if what shed seen didnt make any sense. I was sure I hit something Then you wouldve heard something, no? Actually, there had indeed been a sound. It was just hard to hear. Callius hadnt used his strength or divine power to parry. Hed just drained his opponents power away with a gentle nudge. Facing the orc warlord, with not a single drop of strength remaining, Callius had managed to parry his axe. Although it had only been possible due to Death Verse Composition, he wanted to make that ability his own. Not yet. This wasnt how hed parried at that time. When fighting the warlord C With a body that really didnt have any strength, hed weathered the enemy generals mighty axe blows. The feeling he had at that time C He wanted to get it back, but it seemed like it was still unreasonable. It wasnt very satisfying. What did you do! Nothing. Sensations different from before were invading his body and controlling his head. A lot of information had overflowed like a wave the moment their swords had met. The paladins disposition, for example. Her swordsmanship, and her habits while wielding the sword. He could guess how many years shed been practicing with which of the movements. No, he could tell right away. It was a strange feeling, but that was why hed lost his enthusiasm. The paladins level was lower than the first orc warrior hed faced in the North. Although, it was only to be expected. In game terms, Carpe was quite a low-level area. Need a hand? It was a familiar voice. Helena. You havent left yet? No, I was doing my business and heard the commotion, so I came to see what the fight was about. How about it? Want me to help, same as three years ago? This time will be a special sale, only a thousand gold coins for my help! Anyway, you have a lot of money now, right? Not required. Callius wasnt troubled to the point where hed need help. He was just annoyed. Paladin Helena!! Do you know how hard it was for me, because I couldnt kill him last time! Because of you! Arent you being too bloodthirsty? And everyone has their own circumstances, you know. Got it? So heres a suggestion! I wont help him if you give me a thousand gold coins. How about it? A thousand gold coins. How could a paladin spend such a large sum of money at the drop of a hat? I dont have enough money Its a pity. If its now, I can shave it down to eight hundred. The paladin, worried, finally threw a pouch shed taken out of her sleeves. I only have this much! Swish. Helena snatched the bag of gold coins out of the air, and sticking her tongue out, guessed its weight. Hey, just a hundred? Ill finish it in ten minutes! Oh, so I just have to wait for ten minutes? Thats fine then. However C Callius isnt here anymore though? Suddenly, Callius had disappeared. Damn it!! The paladin spat out a curse and looked back at Helena. She was also gone. With all her gold coins, too. Pit-a-pat, pit-a-pat. Step, step. Brushing the dust off his shoulders, Callius left the alley, put on a hooded robe, and slipped into the crowd. Itd be nice to get rid of the old grudges, but now the enchanter comes first. Approaching the area bordering the forest on the outskirts of Karradi C The smell of all sorts of potions hit his nostrils. This was the area where all the alchemists in Karradi were gathered. Callius had to find an alchemist here. One whod later become a pillar of the Carpe Kingdom and create all kinds of powerful sacred artifacts. Beatrice. If it were her, shed certainly be able to solve his problem. Eh, isnt it Lady Esther! Its an honour!! The soldiers who guarded the capital, burst into exclamations. There was no one in Carpe who did not worship the sword. Theyd all grown up from birth watching the dazzling radiance of swordsmen, and hearing stories about their fights with the spear bastards. So, strong knights C As well as paladins, enjoyed a certain level of courtesy. No matter how bad the reputation of the Church might, all were equal before the sword. So they could not hide their respect for Esther, who was called the genius of the century. I was so impressed seeing you win against a paladin with a spirit sword, with just a normal carcass, in the royal tournament! Everyone in the kingdom in looking forward to how high you will soar, Lady Esther Yes. Esther was very uncomfortable with their interest, but the soldiers would latch on to any excuse to drag out their conversation even a little. So why are you I was just passing by and heard the commotion. A cacophony of blades. As she was passing through the streets, her aura sense had caught the energy fluctuations and had led her to this place. What happened here? Uh well. We also just arrived, so we still dont know exactly whats going on. But C From the traces, it seems that there was a small-scale battle. We did get testimonies from some people passing by. The soldiers all looked grim. It was common for pilgrims to wield their swords at will, unheeding to laws and reason. Esther read that expression and calmly pierced the core of the issue. Were they pilgrims? Eh? Oh, yes. It was a group of pilgrims. We dont know whats going on, but it seems that two parties came to blows. Can I take a look? Oh, of course. This way In this narrow alley, ten people had fought a group battle? Esther did not believe the soldiers words. One was alone. Itd been a many-to-one fight. More than ten people had attacked one person. Wild sword scars were left on the buildings and the ground. And when she looked at the footprints, she could picture the battle in her mind. There were two. Yes? What do you Esther ignored the soldier and fell into thought. Thered been two at first. But one had fallen right away. Where the wall had collapsed, no footprints had been left behind. And one, remaining. Interesting. How curious. What are you curious about? It was definitely a many versus one battle. More than ten pilgrims attacked one person, but strangely, hed left hardly any sword marks or footprints behind. It was like theyd been fighting a ghost. Of course, its not completely traceless. Starting from a point, two footsteps overlapped and fought while close together. Capturing the enemy and toying with them while fighting. Nobody could do this unless they were a true expert. And There. Hed stepped on the wall and climbed up. Hed climbed up to the roof, roughly the height of a five-story building, in three leaps. Even Esther couldnt do this easily. He had great physical ability. To the point where he could even carry another person up with him. Who is it? The pilgrims fought him, so An imperial knight hiding in Karradi? There was such a possibility. He didnt even draw his weapon. Whiiiiish, thud, thud, thud! Oh! Eh, Lady Esther! Leaving the soldiers behind, Esther stepped on the wall like the mysterious knight and climbed onto the roof the same way. Its gone. There were no more footprints. Pilgrims were stronger than normal humans. But naturally, if they used that superhuman power for movement, theyd leave marks on the terrain. But that common sense was overturned here. He mustve fought against another person here, but no traces of it could be found. Even after that final blow. Even though the last powerful strike from the paladin had scarred the place so terribly, there was no trace of the enemys attacks or movements anywhere. Interesting. There was a strong knight who could do things she couldnt. For Esther, whod only ever trained with the sword, strong people were the only interesting and entertaining existences in the world. Uhhhm, uhhh When she was smiling with interest C A cute voice came from somewhere. When Esther looked down, she saw a girl climbing up carefully from the hole in the roof, carefully in case it collapsed. Finally! Who are you? Eeeek!! Clang! Clang clang!! Damn it! Perhaps her hands had weakened with sirprise, because she fell straight down the hole again. Ugg! Aah! I almost died Are you alright? Ye-, yes! Uh, Esther? You Pilgrim Maria? D-, do you recognize me? Werent we in the same class? Th-, thats right! I just didnt expect you to remember ah, thank you. Maria, once Esther pulled her up to the roof, bowed her head. But why are you here? Ah, I left something She looked around, as if shed just remembered, and looked bewildered. She looked just the same as she used to when they were both nuns, a few years ago. Few people disliked Maria because of her kind heart and deep consideration for others. However, Esther was not in the mood to appreciate her warmth right now. Did you see a sword here by any chance? Sword. There was only one reason why shed come to find a sword here. Are you the one who fought here? Yes? Oh, thats it was a fight, but it was also kind of not? Its a bit fuzzy. What do you mean? Ah, thats Esthers eyebrows furrowed. Because Marias attitude was really strange. Her face was red, her fingers wiggled, and she was shuffling in place. Shes like a cute earthworm. She looked like she was very shy about something. But only for a while. She was starting to get restless. Esther, you really didnt see a sword? Its very precious to me! Id be lost without it! Chapter 78 Ah, Ive still got the sword with me. A plain sword that quite suited that woman named Maria. Although it was just an ordinary sword, its handle looked very worn out. It did look old, but it had been kept well-maintained; although there were scratches here and there, the middle of the blade was well maintained and the edges were sharp. And it was a carcass. Maria It wasnt a name Callius was familiar with. The name Maria was indeed very common, but he couldnt remember one from Carpe Anyway. The woman was only vaguely memorable because she was a poor pilgrim. I can just pass it on to the Church, I guess. Callius put Marias sword into the subspace and looked around. The smell of medicinal drugs, a queer musty scent, stung his nose. Nobody could be seen walking around, but the place was still strangely noisy. The place was called Golden Station[1], where alchemists gathered. It was a place with strict security, and civilians were explicitly prohibited from entering. Who are you? A pilgrim. Callius current official position in the Order was that of a pilgrim. Pilgrims arent allowed to enter without special dispensation. Naturally, he was rejected. Why wouldnt he be? The pilgrims didnt have any power. So Callius pulled something out of his pocket. Not even with this? Thats um. The guards eyes widened. The snow symbolizes the North. And the wolf, signifies Jervain. An emblem that combined the snow and the wolf. There was a sword pattern embroidered on it, indicating the aristocratic rank. Three swords. Such a token represented a count. Besides C The sword pattern is engraved on a sapphire. Meaning this was a token of the Count of Jervain, who ranked among the four great noble houses. Ah! Excuse me. The soldier standing on the guard had heard that Count Jervain was a middle-aged man, so he was a bit doubtful, because the count in front of him looked quite young. However, the evidence did not lie, so he didnt dare ask any questions. Ive got a question. Please ask. Is there somebody called Beatrice who lives here? Beatrice. Umm well. The alchemists dont come out often, so I dont know them well. I can show you the list? All the alchemists living here would be in it. Bring it, then. Yes, I understand! The name Beatrice was nowhere to be found on the list the guard brought out in a rush. Theres a Maria here, too. But they wouldnt be the same person. Maria was a common name, after all. My apologies. Youve got nothing to apologize for. May I take a look inside? Yes, of course. Let me guide you. No need, I can walk alone. But there may be some danger. Sometimes one house or another blows up due to some alchemy experiment failure, so There was no need to trouble the soldier. There was no reason to hide his movements, either. Its a pity that Beatrice isnt there, but it cant be helped. Beatrice wasnt even a character set by Callius in the first place. So he didnt know all her details. Because the setting was so vast, there had been different people in charge of fine-tuning different characters. The game wasnt so small that a single writer could plan all the settings. Should I go find Sullivian? That was the most straightforward option[2]. Although her day of death was at hand, Sullivian was still the best alchemist. The reason Callius had excluded her in the first place was because her life was really at its end, and he didnt want to owe a debt to someone who was going to die soon. She isnt somebody I can just meet because I want to, either. She was a cardinal, and descended from the royal bloodline. She wasnt somebody you could meet casually. I cant just go back without Beatrice. He really needed to find an alchemist. Even disregarding the trolls blood in his possession, he needed help on turning the thunder wolf dragons materials into an artifact. Otherwise, hed be left with no choice but to do what he could. Then please, guide me. Yes, please come with me, this way. After a while C Im sorry. All alchemists are like that No, no. I know how they can be, so dont worry about it. There was a string of failures. This was already the third time nobody had even opened the door when hed knocked, and hed gotten a shouted remonstration instead not to interfere with the experiment. Hed known that alchemists could be eccentric, but this was beyond the pale. Hed had to rein in his impulse of breaking down the door and stab the bastard on the other side in the heart. There was no point in getting angry at an alchemist, and even more importantly, starting from the moment hed taken up the title of count, his actions now represented the North. How about that woman called Maria? Callius remembered a Maria on the list. Although that didnt mean anything. It was just stuck in his mind for some reason. Oh, then let me guide you there. After theyd walked for a while C They reached a remote place that was probably the most out-of-the-way section of the area. A shabby, plain shack greeted them. A house that looked like it was about to collapse. Knock, knock. It was still quiet, without any response. Even after waiting a while, it was still the same. She doesnt seem to be inside. What should we do? Well. What to do, indeed? Callius was contemplating. The flowers are already blooming. Its amazing. Even though its still winter At the guards words, Callius looked at the yard outside the shack, and saw that flowers were really blooming there. What a strange-looking flower. Thats true. The white and the purple are finely intertwined. There were many other flowers and herbs, too. They looked homegrown, but theyd definitely been raised by an alchemist, so they were a little different from normal. They exuded spirituality. They looked abnormal. And C Amazing. Most of the herbs were growing on top of bones. Like beast skulls and such. This After brushing aside some dirt, Callius could see a sword under it. Although the quality was low and it wasnt in good shape, it was indubitably a sword with a human soul. This flower grew on a carcass! The flowers planted on the sword bloomed far more vividly than any others that were growing on beast bones. It was strange. And it was rare to find an alchemist who cultivated such things. A geek whos got no money. Callius lips curved up at the corners. Growing medicinal herbs meant the alchemist was highly likely to be a potioneer. Its not a normal beast, either. Judging from the shape of the bones and the magic it exuded, these were the bones of a demonic beast. Even though studying demonic magic was taboo, the alchemist was gutsy enough to disregard that. Callius already liked her quite a bit. What would you like to do? Shall we go somewhere else No, well wait here. For such an alchemist, waiting was worth it. Then would you like some of this? Its my lunch, but The guard too some bread out of his pocket. It looked hard. It was now lunchtime, apparently. Callius was now holding up the guards lunch break, it seemed. Whats your name? Im Peter, sir. Callius pretended to put his hand in his pocket and pulled out ten gold coins from subspace. Peter, bring me a meal. A stew that goes well with the bread would be nice. Ah! I see. If its stew were talking about, theres this meat stew called spezzatino di manzo[3], that tastes really delicious dipped with this bread! Im looking forward to it. Please wait a few minutes, Ill be back soon. Oh, but Ten gold coins were too much for just one meal. Peter tried to return the rest, saying one gold coin was enough. I eat a lot, so I hope theres enough food. Keep the rest. Understood! Peter, the guard, had a bit more improved opinion of the Count of the North starting from today. Meanwhile. Stay still! If I let you out right now, Ill end up losing you aah! Stop biting, you bastard! Swish, swish. After speaking up loudly by mistake, Bruns furtively glanced around to check if there was anyone nearby. After confirming that nobody was there to hear him, he exhaled as if in relief. Aaah! Stop biting me, you bastard! Why do you keep biting me when youre always licking Boss[4] boots? Really! Im serious. Im gonna give you a hiding if you keep doing this. Vivi struggled really hard in Bruns hands, full of hate and anger. C Crooon! Craaaaaaackle! Ngggggggggggh!! Itd started at the level of static shock, but after a few months Vivi could already emit a pretty strong current. Ouch! With Bruns distracted by the lightning and bite combo attack, Bibi took the chance to run away. Come back! If I lose you, Boss might really throw me away! But Vivi didnt care a whit for Bruns entreaties. Sniff, sniff. It had found the scent it sought. Quickly getting closer. Hello? Little kid. The smell was from a woman. But faint. Also, she had long hair. It wasnt him. A magic beast, are you? Not a normal one, either. Maybe a dragonblooded? Im in luck today! Vivi ignored the woman and began running again. Where do you think youre going C! She tried to stop it, but couldnt. Vivi radiated electric currents from all over its body. Oh! As soon as the woman backed away, startled, Vivi rushed out. The scent was getting more and more intense. Ugh, why a dog Vivi stopped in front of the soldier holding a pack of food. Then it tilted its head, because the scent was still faint. Do you want some of this? I didnt buy it with my own money, so a little bit would be fine. I bought a lot. He looks quite generous, so he wont mind. The soldier tore out a piece from the bread and threw it at Vivi. But Vivi growled without even looking at it. Why are you doing this? Where does it hurt? It wasnt this guy either. Vivi ran again. Towards the scent. Whats this? A mutt? Its not a mutt, it C Stop it! Block it! You cant get in here!? The soldiers panicked and tried to stop Vivis charge. But it was of no use. Vivi zigged and zagged at as fast as lightning, making fun of the soldiers and crossing the road. Strange old smells were all around. But the scent was mixed in. His scent. The deep scent only he had. Umm? Vivi? How did you come here? C Bark! Vivi jumped into his chest at once. Did you leave Bruns behind and come ahead? Vivi was busy licking him all over as if it didnt know whatever he meant. Callius quickly gave up and quirked his lips, and began to pet Vivi. Do you know this dog? It was Peter. He was carrying a container packed full of food in one hand. Yeah, thats right. Did you two meet on the way? Yeah. I threw it some bread, but it didnt eat. Now it looks like it was looking for you, Count. Was it? Callius had thought Vivi had come with Bruns. Where was Bruns, then? He hadnt arrived even after waiting for such a long time. Maybe hed lost Vivi. So useless well, lets eat first. Me too? You havent eaten either, right? Then Ill join you. Thank you. That was then. Would you like me to join you too? A third person intervened. At first glance, the woman with dark purple hair had an ordinary face, but her demeanour was strangely quiet. If you started eating in front of someone elses house at will, you mustve prepared food for the owner too, right? You For a moment, Callius had thought it was a different woman. But no. Are you Maria? Although the demeanour was different C She had to be Maria, whod attacked him along with a group of other pilgrims previously. Maria, the pilgrim. But her tone of voice, her behaviour C And above all else, the eyes themselves were clearly different from before. As if her personality had completely changed. As if she was an entirely different person. Callius eyes narrowed. You, whats your name? At his question, her eyes curved up like a crescent moon. Beatrice. Beatrice sol Maria. Can I eat now? Dark purple hair poured down like a waterfall along the tilted head. Callius looked at her for a silent moment, then smiled and nodded his head. Naturally. Editors Notes: [1] ?? (geum-yeog) uses the character ? (lit. gold), which is also part of ???. Weve been using different terms for this, including enchanter and spirit crafter, but now were going to normalize to a single term C alchemist. Otherwise, the name Golden Station doesnt make sense, since only alchemists are so closely associated with gold. [2] ?? (lit. straight bread) means directly, with an immediate result. [3] ????? ?? (spezzatino manzo), is an Italian beef stew, which is the only thing the various recipes of it on the internet seem to agree on. [4] ?? (nari), what Bruns calls Callius, will now translate to boss instead of master. This is because the latter is already used for something else, and using a different term here will lessen the overall confusion. We also considered guv, but thats too niche. Chapter 79 Oh, if it isnt Esther! Its been a while. Yes, its been some time, Paladin Helena. Are you still talking to me so formally? Why not relax a little? Call me big sis or something. I havent found my sword yet. A pilgrim who hasnt completed their pilgrimage cant treat a paladin as an equal. A pilgrim who hasnt completed their pilgrimage is still just a pilgrim. Theres no pilgrim stronger than you. Even the average paladin should be weaker than you. Since youre revered so highly as the next saint, why not have the Church grant you a sword? That should be feasible enough. The Church didnt lack vision or spirit swords, and had some in their possession. Would there be any issue in giving one to a swordsmanship genius of Esthers calibre, who was even called the next saint? Ive declined the offer. As expected. That stiff-necked pride of yours must trouble you a lot. The only goal of a pilgrim on their pilgrimage should be to find their sword. Thus do we fulfil the will of the Gods. To offer a sword that satisfies the Gods, huh? Yes. Hmm. So how much longer do you think itll take for you to find your sword? It should happen soon. Esthers eyelashes trembled with sadness. Helena decided to change the subject when she remembered her guardian, the saint of the Church whod adopted her as a stepdaughter. Oh, but why are you late? I had to wait here for so long. I went to take a look at a place after hearing something. Oh? What happened? A small fight had taken place. There were traces of a battle between one expert versus several others. Haah Helena seemed to understand something, but still decided to listen quietly. It was because this lady who usually sported a stiff, emotionless face now had an unusually pleasant expression. He mustve been pretty strong. Yes. It was as if the others were fighting a ghost. Really, the expert left hardly any traces. To fight so many opponents without even pulling out your weapon I want to meet them at least once. You still havent found out who it was? Unfortunately not. Ah! Esther exclaimed as if shed remembered something. What is it? I did meet somebody, but Esther frowned, as if it was really strange. She suddenly became a different person. Although the bread was hard, the texture became soft and moist when dipped in the stew. The flavour of the thick meat stew seeped into the bread, and the taste was doubled. Callius picked up his knife and fork, and sliced ??a chunk of meat. When he took a bite, the sauce tasted just right, and sweet juice kept bursting out of the meat the more he chewed. It tastes good. Im glad it suits your palette. That fork, its not normal, is it? Yes, I suppose its a bit rare. Its an artifact. A fork and knife that hed once obtained. They were a pair of artifacts. They werent particularly special. Just a little more firm than normal utensils, and unnaturally clean. Callius observed Beatrice eating while answering her question. She looked just like Maria. However, her appearance, which hed first thought was a bit plain, changed a hundred and eighty degrees just by switching to a bit of a different style. If Maria was like pure snow, white as her innocence, Beatrice was a rose. An alluring rose. Maybe thats it. She was a character he hadnt set up. There was a high probability that the character had been arbitrarily set like this by the company. Named ones tended to have a bit of an exaggerated concept, but he hadnt thought Beatrice would have a setting like this. A split personality. There had to be a trigger to change her personality. If he could figure that out, he might be able to get a pretty decent deal in the transaction. After a quick meal, Callius offered the sword he was carrying to Beatrice. Ill give this back first. I didnt notice that Id taken it with me, last time. Beatrices eyes twitched. I dont recognize this sword, though? If youre going to give a present to a lady, wouldnt a flower be better than a sword? Or I like this little kid here, too. Was she talking about Vivi? Although Callius was a little worried since it looked like she was doing strange experiments with magical beasts, she did seem to like Vivi quite a bit. I refuse. Its my cherished pet. Thats too bad. But you really wont take it? This should be your favourite sword. I really dont recognize that sword, Im telling you. She kept stubbornly persisting. Perhaps if his prediction was correct, the trigger to change her personality might be holding Marias sword. There was no reason to decline his offer so stubbornly, otherwise. By the way, will you tell me now? Why were you waiting for me at my house? Anyway, it didnt matter. It was Beatrice that Callius had been looking for, not Maria. I dont like long introductions, so Ill be direct. Please. I hate wasting time, too. Callius took a vial out of his pocket and placed it on the table. Whats this? Blood of a thunder wolf dragon. Thunder wolf dragon It was a beast with dragons blood. Can you purify the demonic energy from this and extract the dragons blood? Beatrice would one day become one of the ten pillars of the realm. But that was just the in-game story that Callius knew. There was no guarantee that everything would unfold as the story had been set in the game. So this was also a test. The blood essence, can you extract it? If possible, hed like to entrust something even more precious than this to Beatrice. The troll blood he had, as well as the thunder wolf dragons horns and other materials. And later, he even intended to entrust everything about the manufacturing of holy water, including the Tears of Valtherus, to her. As long as she had the skills and could be trusted, there was no reason to not do so. Hed be in the capital, Karradi, for a while, but one day hed be responsible for the whole of the North. The North had to become greater and stronger than it was right now. Im asking if its possible. Her gaze looking at the vial hed taken out looked exactly what hed expected from an alchemist. A gaze that was filled with greed. However, her brows were furrowed so tightly that they didnt look like theyd straighten out anytime soon. Was she worried? Whether shed be able to do it by herself? Youre not confident, Im guessing. Callius said with disappointment in his heart, and Beatrice nodded calmly. Honestly, thats true. But with a little time and preparation, its not impossible. Hoo. The wait had been worth it. What kind of preparation are you talking about? If necessary, I can support you. Callius was flush with wealth right now. It wasnt a problem to provide some support, since itd be an investment. About the necessary expenses and the time, Ill just need ten thousand gold and a year. But theres one thing I need the most, and its a bit difficult to find. Is that alright? Ten thousand gold coins and one year of time. Ten thousand gold was fine, but a year was way too long. But since there was even something extra that was essential, Callius could only sigh. He hadnt even mentioned the troll potion he really needed, yet. Lets hear it, this most essential thing. Have you ever heard of demon cores? Demon cores[1] (ħQ). I have. A core that sometimes forms inside a being that has a lot of demonic energy. Simply put, its similar to the blood essence of a demonic being, but it contains very pure and concentrated demonic energy, so normal demonic beasts have no chance of forming one. Unless its a high-ranked beast with a highly pure bloodline, it doesnt happen easily. In human terms, its an object similar to the sacred stone of a saint. I need a demon core. When extracting the blood essence, you have to remove the demonic impurities from the blood first, but thats difficult to do without the power of a demon core. According to her, a demon core was formed out of pure demonic energy, and it could absorb the demonic power contained in the blood. That was why she said itd be easier to extract the blood essence if she had a demon core. Its ridiculous. Demon cores werent supposed to be used in that way. The setting itself was that demon cores were used a medium to make the demonic power of a magic beast go out of control. But Beatrice was instead saying that it could be used to remove demonic power from the blood. This paradigm of thought that completely differed from orthodox knowledge was quite surprising. Really, this was Beatrice. The talent who would one day be revealed as the best and the most eccentric alchemist in the kingdom. Then, is there any way to find one? However, demon cores were as difficult to obtain as plucking a star from the sky, and it was considered unholy since it was an item with demonic magic, so it wasnt up for sale anywhere. Although it was useful, it wasnt easy to find. Unless you could find a beast with a demon core, but Callius had never seen one, not even during the War of the North where so many demonic beasts had been slain. Demon cores were that rare. Its not that theres no way. Its just that youll have to face a very difficult opponent. So somebody has one? This was good news. The story had become simpler. Who is it? Do you know Count Artemion? Artemion? Yes. The eldest son of the count has a bit of an eye for beasts, so he trains them and sells them in secret. In the beginning, itd just been his hobby, and hed used to give the beasts out as gifts to other nobles, but when hed realized how lucrative it was, hed scaled up his operation. As the beasts increased in size, it was rumoured that one had formed a demon core. There are two ways. Either, make a deal with Viole, or C Are you going steal it? Unlike Maria, Beatrices smile as she spoke, although bright, had a rather sinister edge. Returning to his room, Callius put down his weapons and sat down on the bed. Flop. Im tired. There didnt seem to be any need to talk about the troll potion. Because a demon core should also be able to remove the demonic power contained in the trolls blood. Demon core. Viole had it. Should he trade for it? Or seize it somehow? Several possibilities were running through his mind. A transaction seemed impossible. Theft didnt sound like a good choice, either. Viole had to be feeling aggrieved and malicious against him, so there was no way the two of them could come to terms and make a decent deal. Talking to Count Artemion probably wouldnt make much of a difference, either. Then is there only one choice left? Callius laid back on the bed and pondered. If the dragons blood could be extracted, along with the rest of materials from the thunder wolf dragon, a relic beyond a normal artifact might be created. Not only that, even the problem about the troll potion could be solved if Callius got his hands on a demon core. With Beatrices skills, all his problems could definitely be solved. Then all that was left, was to get the demon core. That was call Callius had to focus on. Its not that difficult. He just needed a reason. An excuse. If it couldnt be traded and couldnt be stolen, he just had to make the other party offer it by their own hands. Callius had the power and status to do so. In the first place, it was the Artemion family who were involved in a criminal enterprise, so it was not a difficult job if he used his status as a count and the rights of a heretic inquisitor. The problem was that, it was unclear whether the Artemions could be easily defeated if he attacked them like this. The name of the Judge had already spread far and wide, and Count Artemion had to be on his toes right now due to the recent accident with Viole. Callius still had to go through the formal process of becoming a heretic inquisitor, so it was possible for the Artemions to squirrel away all their demonic items and magical beasts somewhere secret by that time. If only the other side had attacked him first, the job wouldve been easier and hed have been able to get more benefits It was a pity, but there was no helping it. Hed just have to figure something out. Really, to think Viole was the one supplying her with magical beasts. When Callius had asked Beatrice how she knew so much about it, shed uncaringly confessed that all the beasts shed been using in her research experiments had been purchased Viole. As a result, she was well aware of the general circumstances. She was still hiding many secrets, but it didnt really matter, did it? He understood the general gist of things. But where did that guy go? Hed asked Vivi where itd separated from Bruns, but in the end Callius hadnt been able find hide nor hair of the man. Tremble. At that exact moment, Bruns was shaking with fear. Idiot bastard. Why the hell does that maniac keep a guy like you with him? Bruns was locked inside a cage. My boss, he cant even sleep at night without me being there! If you kill me, hell definitely get revenge, so if you really want to kill me, just come and try it! Contrary to his loud voice, Bruns was shaking so hard he looked like he might piss any moment. No wonder, because the iron cage he was imprisoned in was smack in the middle of a group of demonic beasts. The beasts, each of which looked capable of chewing and swallowing a man in one bite, were drooling at the sight of him, bared teeth shining from within their slavering jaws. Is this really enough to make him come? The one whod kidnapped Bruns was none other than the owner of the beasts. Viole Artemion. The son of Count Artemion. I dont know if Im wasting my time He gotta come! You just wait!! I cant tell if youre threatening me or asking me. But Ill wait. Ive contacted his hotel, anyway. An answer should come in the near future. Either that bastard would come, or not. Of course, if he really comes here, he wont be going back alive. No matter how strong a paladin might be, he wouldnt be able to face all the demonic beasts in this place. Besides, that man was the biggest useless trash of the kingdom, despite all this talk about his prowess. Viole couldnt even guess what kind of trick hed done to get such a rumour going. However, that time in the tavern, when Callius had subdued all the knights, had to have been a trick. Hed been deceived then, but this time it was different. These are the guys Ive raised with all my power. If your master really comes, neither of you will be getting away alive. Eek! Weak nobles liked tamed magic beasts, strong and valiant unlike themselves, that would lie at their feet. It was a pretty bad hobby, but it could be surprisingly helpful sometimes. Theres nothing better than these magic beasts when it comes to dealing with shitheads. Not just to terrify them. Even those who screamed while being eaten alive, would become quiet once they went completely into the beasts stomachs. So go and regret for the rest of your life, that you dared insult me. Inside the stomach of a demonic beast, that is! Hahahahaha! I really hope that Callius actually comes to save you! S-, sure he will, you son of a bitch! Bruns was anxious at heart, but he still believed. If it was Callius, hed definitely come to his rescue. Definitely Youre coming, right? But his anxiety didnt go away. Editors Notes: [1] The author provided the Chinese characters ħQ (mo jing), but honestly? The jing (Q) character here means pure or clean. The translation instead assumes that he meant jing (ħ) as in essence (kidney essence) in traditional Chinese medicine. Chapter 80 Ah, Count, were you here? Peter. Thank you for your hard work. Yeah! I have to work hard to feed my daughter! He was a brave soldier. A citizen of Carpe who loved his country, and a soldier who revered the sword. He was also a father of a daughter, same as Callius, and his wife had passed away a long time ago, so they had quite a lot in common. Ill guide you. You dont have to escort me anymore. No, no, I do have to. If I dont give someone of your station an escort, Count, Ill get a pretty harsh scolding. I see. This place gets very few visitors, so just one person is enough for security. The monthly salary is pretty good and the job is easy, too. Although its a bit boring, I like it. If its so boring, why are you doing this? If you volunteer, there should be a lot of other jobs available. Even though its boring, that has its own value. Because of your daughter? The daughter of a foolish father. Yeah. If I die for nothing, whos going to raise my daughter? We two are the only ones in our family, so I have to take care of her by myself. You love your daughter a lot. Shes the apple of my eye[1]. Shes really cute, you know? Whenever I go home, that little kid jumps at me and sticks to me so hard that I think I might fall over. Shes so pretty, too, like a splitting image of my wife Peters smile held a bitter edge. He seemed to be reminiscing about his dead wife. How old is the child? Shes twelve this year. Coincidentally, she was the same age as Emily. Naturally, Callius also thought of Emily and smiled. What do little girls like these days, do you think? Do you also have a daughter, Count? Thats right. Shes also twelve this year. Shes always a bit curt with me, though. I see. Its kind of nice to hear. But unfortunately, knowing my daughters likes and dislikes might not help you. Why? Unlike other kids her age, my daughter is only interested in swords The little girl was apparently a sword fanatic. As she was a child of the Carpe Kingdom, where the Order of Valtherus was the state religion, it wasnt that big a surprise. Callius, too, knew another little girl who was only interested in swords. Rather, this was interesting. Tell me more. Its because she grew up without a mother. She quickly learned that I depend on my sword to live, and became interested in swordsmanship. She wants to become a knight Hed gone through a lot of trouble as a result. Peter naturally didnt want to raise his only daughter as a knight, but she was so stubborn that he gave her a wooden sword first to play with. What about becoming a pilgrim? Ugh Itd be hard to even see her face if she becomes a nun. Besides, a pilgrims life is still dangerous. Dont pilgrims wander around all year without any trace? Absolutely not! Callius swallowed his words and shook his head. To be honest, being a pilgrim wasnt a job that most high-ranking people, let alone high aristocrats, preferred. Because it was a path full of thorns, and the casualty rate was worse than even knights. In addition, now that the reputation of the Church had fallen so low, if you were unlucky enough, you might even get stoned to death. Who would choose such an occupation in such a situation? Are you planning to raise her as a knight, then? Yeesh, I dont know. She wants to go to the Royal Academy, it seems, but thats beyond my ability. The Royal Academy. Literally, a school under royal authority that nurtured children to become knights. If you successfully complete your education, youll be awarded a knighthood and given a life sword. Not only that, the three top students each year are also given a choice. Either to join the Royal Knight Order, or to become a paladin of the Church. Callius never knew there was such a benefit. It wasnt useless information, either. It wouldnt be a bad idea to send her there, then? Hey, forget about it. My daughter takes after me in using a sword, but to get in the academy, shed need a recommendation. And even then, the waiting list is far too long, so I cant even dream of it. Besides, how expensive is the registration fee Theres no way I could pay that with my monthly salary. I can only feel sorry for her. Im incompetent as a father. The Royal Academy. Emily would love that place. It might not be as good as the actual battle experience shed accumulated in the North, but Callius thought it might be a good experience for her. If it was Callius, he could definitely write a letter of recommendation. That kid, even if she has talent in swordsmanship, she doesnt seem to have any friends. The last time hed seen her, hed told her that hed bring a sword for her next time, but shed said that she didnt need one, so a gift like this wouldnt be bad either. Is she doing fine, I wonder? Two months had passed since hed left the North. How was she doing, left in that cold white hell filled with pure snow? Was this the reality of becoming a father? After being reborn in this world, this might be Callius first time missing someone. Of course, he still didnt have the heart of a proper parent. Weve arrived. Ill wait for you here, so please feel free to come back once youre done. Alright, then. While chit-chatting about this and that, theyd already arrived in front of Beatrices house. No, rather, it should be called her laboratory. Rap. Callius knocked on the door, and heard a faint voice telling him to come in. Excuse me. As soon as he opened the door, he was greeted by a mess, made up of cluttered piles of documents, various artifacts and research materials. Youre here. Beatrice was leaning against a leather sofa, with her long dark purple hair hanging down. The sight of her with her legs crossed, reclined into soft leather, was quite alluring to say the least. Because Beatrice was wearing shreds of fabric that could hardly even be called clothes. A black silk slip. A nightgown so flimsy that the slightest breeze would bare the insides to the world. Are you an exhibitionist? I wore this because you were coming, Count. Ill take it off when its time for research. I get nervous and frustrated when Im wearing anything. If you want, would you like to do an experiment together? It was quite an embarrassing piece of information, but Callius refused without even changing his expression. He had no interest in having another child, that too with a commoner. Im headed for Count Artemions place. If I tell the Church or the royal family, he might catch wind of it and squirrel away the demonic beasts, so its better to make a surprise attack. Okay, then lets go right now. Are you going to go dressed like that? Wait. Beatrice quickly put on a hooded robe that covered her whole body. Outside the window, the sun was starting to set. The last light burned with an intense vermilion hue. The shadows lengthened, and darkness slowly filled the world. Within that overflowing darkness C Bop-bop-bop-bop. A screeching noise pierced the ears. This noise is gonna kill me. In the quarters Callius had taken over C Orcal, who was quietly polishing his spirit sword, the Worm Soul, frowned at the persistent scratching noise at the door. Callius had gone out some time ago, alone. Which was fine. What really stuck in his craw was how a high-level manpower, an inquisitor-captain, had been left to babysit a pup of a demonic beast. Bruns hadnt come back from wherever hed wandered to, so Callius had ordered him to take care of Vivi. Im not even house-sitting, Im dog-sitting. This is ridiculous. How did I end up like this? Bop-bop-bop-bop. Either way, the pup kept scraping at the door. Maybe it was because itd seen Callius disappear through it. Its been scratching that door all day. Ugh! Noisy! Stop it, you bastard! Callius might look like he loved it, but not Orcal. Not in the slightest. The scars hed received from its mother, the thunder wolf dragon, still remained on his body. Besides, it was a magic beast. Orcal naturally held a strong hatred for their breed. Hed lost his parents and siblings in a magic beast attack, so it was even more intense than others. C Kieeeeeng! Kieeeeeng! Crooooooon! You trying to mess with me, you son of a bitch!? Well, hed been thinking there was nowhere to vent, but wasnt this good? As they said, animals with fur had to be beaten with a stick if one wanted to educate them. Whip! On an impulse, Orcal unsheathed the Worm Soul, held it like a club and approached Vivi. Feeling some kind of premonition, Vivi suddenly cried and tried to run away. Let me see, where can you run CrashC clangC! It smashed through the window and jumped out. Eh! No, you crazy, what, wait! The hotel room they were in was on the third floor. Even if it was the pup of a magic beast, if it fell from such a height, itd die! Even if it didnt die, itd be severely injured! Callius loved Vivi quite a bit. At the thought of his superiors anger when he returned, Orcal shuddered. He realized once again that it was him who was being educated with a stick. Please, please be safe! Orcal immediately jumped out of the window himself. Thump! Landing on the ground, the sword back at his waist, Orcal looked around. Eh, why cant C?! But Vivis figure was nowhere to be seen. All he could see was a dark street at night. A few street lanterns were scattered here and there along the way. Orcal understood. Ive fucked up. Hed lost Vivi. No, it fell from that height, how could it already disappear like this? Although, Callius had been feeding it something strange. And it wasnt an ordinary pup, it was the child of a thunder wolf dragon. But if it couldve done this any time, why had it been scratching the door like that all day? Still, this wasnt the time to analyze something like that. Ive got no choice but to find it before Sir Callius returns. And he got beaten again. Shuddering, Orcal pulled out the Worm Soul halfway from the scabbard. Worms materialized with a buzzing sound. Find Vivi. Step! Climbing up to the roof of a tall building, Orcal closed his eyes and focused. After a while C Orcals eyebrows furrowed as he opened his eyes wide. Why go there? The place where Vivi had gone to, was a counts mansion. It was the mansion of Count Artemion. At the mansion of the Artemion family, in the underground basement. Do you want to eat it? Lick it like a dog. Hey, Im not your plaything! Im the servant of Sir Callius, the future great Master of the North! If you eat this, Ill give you another steak. Unfortunately for Bruns, the meat was too good to refuse. Chomp, gulp! To be honest, it was in a bowl, so even though itd been thrown down at the floor, that didnt really matter. The meat was great, and the taste was amazing. Maybe this kind of life is good, too. It came with three meals full of meat, you could sleep when you wanted to, and shit when you wanted to. Because it was an iron cage made to hold magic beasts, it was wide enough to live in. Being a nobles pet didnt seem so bad. Do you want to be my pet? W-, what nonsense!! A glorious job awaits me, to serve the one who will become the future Lord of the North!! Release me now, you godless crazy idiot! What? Are you calling me an idiot? Yeah, thats right! Damn! How could you do this if you arent an idiot! The biggest idiot in the whole kingdom! You cowardly bastard! If youre a real leader of men, take up your sword and fight! Dont hide behind demonic beasts and do stupid things!! You worm, you dare! Whatre you going to do? Whatre you going to do!? Dont you have to keep me safe to get my boss here? You idiot! You cant do anything to me, right? Just stand still and stew, you bastard! Bruns raised his fist and shouted a curse, but he immediately flinched at Violes face, which had distorted into something creepy. I was wondering why I kept you alive. I dont actually care if I kill you. Callius will die here anyway. Um Was that so? Ill just kill you. Originally, I was going to make an example of you in front of Callius, but Ive changed my mind. You arrogant servant, you just handle his chores but dont even know your place. Just die, and free up some air for me to breathe. Hey! Please, help me! Aaaaaaaaaaaah! Clang! Claaaaaaaaaaang! When the magic beasts all hit the iron bars like it was a toy, they started to shake like a ship meeting stormy waves. Bruns, rubbing away the tears and snot from his face, cried out for his life, but Violes lips only curved up at his plea. Boss!! Somethings wrong! What? Someones here! Ahhhhh!! ClaaangC!! The underground space shook violently, with the sound of a huge explosion. At that moment, while Viole was trying to stay focused C Once again, the walls burst, and someone appeared along with a small pile of sand and dust. Black hair as dark as pitch. Gray eyes without any emotion. A rosary on his neck, and a stigma of God on the back of his hand. And on his chest, a brooch symbolizing the Lord of the North. It was Callius von Jervain. Boss!! You finally come to save me!! I, Bruns, am here! My faith in you never wavered! Bruns? Why are you here? Eh? Bruns, whod been so moved that he was about to tear up, found his eyes welling up from a different emotion. Chapter 81 It was somewhat of a disappointment. Stepping into the counts mansion, Callius had been searching for the magic beasts Viole was purported to be managing. He didnt even need to draw his sword. Every time he showed the counts token, the doors opened in an instant. There was no need to apply force. However, as he passed by, he unexpectedly came upon Vivi. Callius tried to approach it, wondering why the kid who was supposed to be with Orcal was here instead, but Vivi disappeared in an instant. And then an artifact triggered inside the mansions basement. Count Artemion was no fool, it seemed, and Callius lost his way. Not only did his sense of direction get messed up, even the passages started moving around all of a sudden, and after trying various other methods to find his way, Callius decided to simply break through the walls in the end. That was how he arrived here. I was wondering where youd ended up Bruns had apparently been imprisoned here. What the hell was up with that idiotic bastard hed come here to find? If hed wanted to grab a hostage to threaten Callius, why not go for a kid like Vivi? Why take this useless fool hostage, instead? How troublesome. His opponent seemed like an idiot who didnt know how the world worked. Can you really make somebody obey just by capturing and holding hostage a servant of theirs? I believed in you, Boss! I know youre just being shy! That part of you where you just cant be honest is also part of your charm! Shut up, Bruns. Keep running your mouth, and I really might rip it out. While Callius fell into deep contemplation as to whether it was really necessary to save this man C Uugh! Be careful, Boss!! Craaack! The front paws of a huge demonic beast hit the ground. As the raised dust cloud settled down again, Callius quietly observed it, with his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist. Callius! You bastard, so you really managed to find your way here! It was that good-for-nothing. Viole Artemion. There were variables, but you still came here to your death in the end! Why do you want to kill me, when Ive never done you any wrong? Do you have some kind of mental illness? Or did the count order you? You bastard, so you dont even fucking remember what you did to me Viole ground his teeth, trembling with rage. Ten years ago! When youd just joined the Church as a monk! Cant you remember?! Ive got no idea. I cant remember anything. I became Callius only three years ago. What did I do? Damn bastard!! At that time, youd gotten kicked out of the North and came to the Church to become a monk. And there you met me! Do you know what the first words you ever said to me were? What did I say? You called me scum, born from scum. Scum, born from scum. Ten years ago, Count Artemion had not yet been a count, but merely an ambitious petty noble whose star had been on the rise, distinguishing himself among his peers, the barons and the viscounts. Along with the messy state of the kingdoms internal affairs, hed contributed to resolving several overlapping incidents and accidents, and had been awarded the title of count. Callius had considered all aristocratic ranks below the counts as scum, and had therefore denigrated Viole and his father Artemion, whod risen to become a count family after a lot of hard work. Of course, Viole hadnt taken the insult lying down, and had tried to inform the Church and have Callius punished. Unfortunately, itd been a problem of his background. At one end was an upstart noble family. And at the other was a bloodline entwined with the founding myth of the kingdom. A direct descendent of the one of the four great noble houses. As a result, Viole had to endure the insult and leave the Church. But then What? You piece of trash. If youd felt that insulted, why not apply for a duel? Since another nobleman had been so rude towards you? Ive never even dreamed that those words could come out of your mouth. At those words, Callius found that he had nothing to say. Its not going to change anything. He didnt think it made any difference in the current situation, and there was nothing he could really do about it either. In any case, Viole had committed a crime by kidnapping Bruns, hadnt he? It wasnt particularly upsetting because it was Bruns locked in there, what if itd been Vivi or Emily? Even Callius, whod never been particularly emotive, wouldve gotten angry. Once he got angry, his inherent qualities would pop out and hed go absolutely wild. Not only the traits such as Nobilitys Duty and Scapegrace of the Count Family, etc., but even the temperament and disposition of the original Callius would surface. Itd be a pain in the ass. Because he might really transform into the original Callius. Are you really holding a petty grudge about something that happened a decade ago? How childish. They say that ones best achievement is often in where theyre born. Youre just living proof of that, arent you? Callius felt suffocated by the unfairness of the accusation. Hed had to nurture this weak body over the years with backbreaking effort. Using Corpse Grace to pile up grudges, and levelling up from being a goddamned talentless dullard to a top-tier pilgrim C was all of this smooth sailing? No! Absolutely not. Who could understand how hed felt when he first had to face and calmly accept this karma! Nobody in this world could even imagine it. I was going to deal with you relatively moderately, but Ive changed my mind. Callius drew a sword from his waist. A sword with a twin-edged red blade, with a flame pattern engraved upon it. The Tyrant Sword. Ill take an arm first. Come try it! You all, go! Tear him apart! Kill him!! C Grooooooooooowwwwlll!! Creak! Screech! Thud!! The doors to the large and small iron cages that filled the huge underground area, opened in unison. As the cages that seemed to be artefacts, opened up, magic beasts of all shapes and sizes poured out, with burning eyes. They didnt look normal C not with their red and unfocused eyes, and saliva dripping from their mouths. Crack!! The man swung his whip and roared. Go!! At his command, the beasts began running towards me Callius as if theyd been hypnotized. There were dozens of demonic beasts jumping from all directions. In total, about forty. Looked like Viole Artemion had really been doing a large-scale business. Still, they were just magic beasts. Besides C Compared to the North, theyre weak. Thud, clang C crash! One slash was enough to handle two of them, and even possibly up to five. They were cleaved apart. What! Whatre you doing! Dont get in each others way, idiots! Bite him from every direction! Kill!! Crack!! Viole snarled and cracked his whip again. But as the momentum of their charge had been broken, the beasts could only falter and scatter. These useless shits!! They really are. You shut up! Kill! Kill! Kill him right now! Slash! Another beast had its head cut off and died. It was a natural result. After all, this bastard had no idea. How many demonic beasts had Callius killed with these hands in the North? Hed been in so many battles that he could kill any of these beasts with his eyes closed. Fatalites Wheel. The number of beasts hed slain there was well over seven hundred. Seven hundred and eighty-four, to be exact. Hed slaughtered nearly eight hundred heads with his own hands, what were forty more going to do? Unlike the beasts that grew up in the harsh environment of the North, with constant fierce battles for establishing hierarchy, the ones here are just like plants in the greenhouse. They only had the forms of magic beasts. They were worms wriggling in the mud, whod never even hunted properly. They had no way to hurt him. Damn it!! Kill him right now! Kill him!! Crack!! C Gruaaaaaaaaaaa!! The magic beasts eyes changed. Those glaring eyes lost even the last sense of life, and now only contained instinctive hostility. Not just one of them. Suddenly, all the beasts thatd been scattered by Callius aura, rushed back in at once. Youre doing something useless. Callius was used to fighting them. In the War of the North, demonic beasts had always been mixed in the green waves of orcish advance, and in the chaotic flow battle itd been impossible to distinguish between enemies and allies. Callius was the one whod slaughtered more than two thousand orcish heads while navigating through such battlefields. There was no need to use divine power. He just avoided what he had to avoid. And cut what he could cut. Slash! He moved with his sword, like flowing water. Even when he closed his eyes, he could clearly feel the enemies hostility prickling on his skin. The trajectories of their attacks were clear in his minds eye, as if he were a prophet. Truly a pleasurable sensation. And when he opened his eyes again C All he could see were shredded fragments of beast corpses, scattered all around. Is this all youve prepared? Shit! Viole ripped his hair out. How could this bastard have such swordsmanship? Wasnt he is the biggest dullard in the kingdom when it came to swords? Holding a spotless sword, his cuts were as clean as flowing water, and his movements as resplendent as a beautiful dance. Curiously, there was not even a drop of beast blood on his sword. Because of the difference in strength. The gap between the two sides was that vast. Viole took an unconscious step backwards. Callius on the other hand, despite having slaughtered all the demonic beasts, stood in place, looking no different thanfrom before. With quiet breaths and an indifferent expression, as if all this had merely been a warm-up exercise. Is this all youve prepared? His eyes were calm as he asked in a quiet voice. It was just creepy. Violes hands shook. If you try to kill someone, you have to prepare yourself to be killed, too. First, an arm. Shut up!! Ill take it. Slash! Aaaaaaagh!! My arm!! My arm is C! Aaaaaaaaagh!! Grabbing his severed arm, Viole struggled. Looking at his form wriggling like a worm on the ground, Callius frowned. Really The whip Viole had been wielding C It was an artifact. No, rather than calling it an artifact C Its a carcass. It was mixed with half of something else, Callius was certain. It was a carcass made from human flesh, by borrowing the power of God. By those who worshipped the Whip God. Damn it! Hey!! Whatre you waiting for! How long are you going to hide? Damn it!! If you hadnt said youd help, I wouldnt have taken it this far! Hurry up and kill him!! You blame others till the very end, and even try and pass the responsibility to others. Youre truly a great man, huh? Whiiiiiish. Step. A hooded figure descended from the ceiling, body flexing like a spring. Although her voice was slightly muffled, it was a womans. She jumped straight down, swung the whip in her hand, and wrapped it around Violes neck like a coiling serpent. A whip-user Probably the one whod given Viole the carcass whip in the first place. Ah! Urrrgh! Crack! The snapping sound of a broken neck resounded in the silence. Viole died without receiving any help. I have no intention of fighting with you. Theres no point clashing with the Hero of the North in this kind of a small place not that Id want to fight with any kids here either. Whoosh! The believer who served the God of the Whip threw a smoke bomb and quickly vanished. [See you next time.] Callius looked at Viole, whod died from a broken neck, and then stored the sword into subspace. If he had to chase, he could. But he didnt. Devotees who worshipped the Whip God had one special ability. The ability to tame magic beasts. Originally, they were specialized in training and breeding animals, but from a certain point, they started specializing in taming demonic beasts. Repeated defeats in war had forced them to do so. But there were few places in the world that gave succour to the defeated. They could only barely maintain the status quo at best. There was nothing good about keeping the woman alive. But nevertheless, Callius chose to leave her alone. After a while, he broke open the iron bars thatd imprisoned Bruns, and moved deeper into the mansions labyrinthine basement. And reached its deepest part. At that place C Youre here. Was a woman, seductive and alluring, dark purple hair hanging down like a waterfall. She was hugging an animal in her bosom. C Beatrice, greeted him. While Vivi, who never obeyed anyone other than Callius, lay quiet and relaxed in her arms. Chapter 82 She was a woman with multiple personalities. And among them was a priestess of the Whip God. Beatrice. Demon core, I found one. Theres a lot of other stuff useful research materials, too. She said, casually. She seemed to think that Callius hadnt noticed anything yet, so she was pretending as if shed merely been following through on her promise. Good job. There were many questions Callius wanted to ask her. But he didnt. Even though shed been the one whod persuaded him to raid the basement of the Artemion mansion. Even though shed been the one to first encourage, and then ultimately kill Viole. Despite all the trouble hed had to go through as a result C Callius didnt ask any questions. Maria is a pilgrim who worships the sword. Her divine power shouldve also been from the same origin as Callius. And yet, she had two personalities in one body, and strangely, she could hold two divinities. Faith springs from your heart and mind being offered to God. Perhaps because she had different minds when she was Maria versus when she was Beatrice? She was one being capable of serving two Gods. But the Whip God had been forgotten since a long time ago. Auste, the God of the Whip. As his follower, Beatrice was most likely a member of Krasion. Because Krasion itself was a group of such old-fashioned people. Krasion Callius didnt have a good impression of one its elders, Ramatu, but as a whole, it wasnt an organization that was his enemy. Was this ruined country so attractive, that so many of their people had congregated here? But indeed, there were many uses for such people. Even if they were believers of a heretic faith. Cedric was a fine example. As for Beatrice, her ability to make money was apparent at a glance from the her laboratory. Who knew if she might get spooked and run away if Callius acted rashly? He was fine with waiting a while before he had to show his hand. C Kieeeeeeeng! Placing Vivi down on the ground, Beatrice opened the metal box behind her and showed the demon core that lay inside. The demon core, was just as its name suggested. A lump of condensed demonic energy. As if a drop of poison had been mixed inside a dollop of blood, and the mixture had curdled into a jelly-like texture. A bloody smell wafted from it, and the ominous fluctuations that characterized demonic magic spread all around. Click. Callius immediately closed the box. I hope you wont take it out while Vivis nearby. Ah, thats right. Ill be careful. The magic of demon cores can drive demonic beasts into a frenzy. Itd become a big problem if Vivi swallowed it by accident, so they had to handle it carefully. Im glad we finally found it. Can you start your work right away? Yes. With this, extracting the blood essence wont be particularly difficult. Considering the time for trial and error, maybe three months at the earliest? If its late, like I said, itll be about a year. It might go faster, because the demon core is in such good condition. It was good news. After the dragon blood extraction finished, Callius would be able to have her work on the troll potion issue right away. Of course, before that, hed have to get her completely on his side. Then what next? Was she asking how theyd handle the aftermath? Alright. Lets match her pace, for now. Viole is dead. And Callius had gotten all he needed. Not just the demon core, but he even got some information on the God of the Whip. The fact that Beatrice was a follower of Auste, was an unexpected harvest. Unlike the followers of other Gods, although it was difficult to annihilate the people of Auste, it wasnt difficult to embrace them. I see. Then whatre you going to do now? Count Artemion wouldnt stand still. Id already informed the army before coming here. The Church too, so theyll all be here soon. He might not be able to make any waves right now. But would you be okay with just that? Since hes lost his son, he might prove to be quite troublesome in the future. As she said, just exposing the circumstances here wouldnt be enough. This alone wasnt sufficient for Artemion to be beheaded. Hell just pay a fine, at most. Raising magic beasts was a common secret hobby for nobles. But if it was fund here, things would play out a bit differently. What do you mean, it? An axe. An axe that Callius had brought with him, just in case. Of course, it was no ordinary axe. Just one of these appearing here would ensure that the investigation would no longer be a cursory one. Then the rest would be easy. Who are you, to arrest me?! Captain of the Third Inquisitorial Squad, Orcal. Hello, Count Artemion. The counts mansion had been besieged, and inhabitants captured, by the Kingdom Army and the Heretic Inquisition. Artemion shouted, aggrieved. My son is dead!! And youre still arresting me? The mansions basement had been devastated by an attack, and his son had been nurdered. He didnt get any time to mourn, and instead had to face the attacks of the Royal Army and the Heretic Inquisition, so Artemion had no choice but to become indignant. Do you recognize this? That isnt that just an axe?!! How dare you wave something like that at me! A young-looking man with a youthful face. Orcal, captain of the third squad. Naturally, Artemion knew of him. It was his first time seeing the man face to face, but hed heard rumours about him over the years. A heretic inquisitor who dealt with worms. A naive man, who despite his prowess with the sword was often overlooked as an inquisitor-captain compared to his peers. Artemion had heard that the cause was more his youthful face and personality, not so much his actual age. However C Be quiet. ! At Orcals calm order, Count Artemion automatically shut his mouth. A cold sweat trickled down his spine. Hes calmer than Id thought hed be. No, the atmospheres changed a bit since earlier. Orcals countenance had changed a little bit since a while ago. Previously, thered been a trace of frivolity, but now he looked completely serious. No. This is a carcass. Of an ugly barbarian, at that. Wh-, what!? A barbarian devotee of the Axe God. His carcass, would be something only an orc would carry. Itd come from the basement of his mansion. The fact struck Artemion like a thunderbolt, but he had no way to disprove it. Its not something we can ignore. And youve illegally bred and traded demonic beasts, on top of that. What does it matter? You also know, most nobles raise and kill these beasts for fun. It was a shameful secret to bring to light, but it was true. If it was just about breeding demonic beasts, itd just be a matter of paying a fine or something similar. Yes. If it was just a simple matter of breeding demonic beasts. Not long ago, a war had broken out in the North, starting with a massive surprise attack by the orcs. At that time, the orcs had used tamed beasts to fill their lack of numbers and mobility. What do you C! Traces of breeding demonic beasts thatd been uncovered at the basement. And the axe that had appeared there. Were you really that short of money? To even help the orcs, one of the ancient enemies of our kingdom Th-, this is slander! Entrapment!! Shut up! You traitor!! When Orcals slow and careful speech was interrupted, his face distorted like a monster, and his roar reverberated throughout the mansion. The voice filled with the power of an inquisitor-captain resonated throughout the body of everybody in the audience, and evoked a certain sense of fear. Count Artemion, whod been looking down on him at heart, was dumbstruck. Click! Click! Click!! Sharp swords were unsheathed by the heretic inquisitors whod been escorting Orcal, and aimed at Artemions neck. Gulp. Artemion calmed himself down. Despite his intense emotions, he knew he had to keep his cool if he wanted to live. Otherwise, his head might get chopped off here and now. Who is it? Who the hell would do this? Hed bribed everybody he needed to bribe, so which piece of shit still wasnt satisfied! It was a very depressing thought, but he now had to escape this situation somehow. Otherwise, he would really die here. No, his family itself might disappear. Th-, this is entrapment. Even if an orcish axe was found, it really doesnt have anything to do with me. Someone mustve put it there on purpose! I demand a proper investigation. Of course. We have a special guest, for that very reason. Who is it? Thwock, thwock. The sound of heavy boots reverberated through the silence that engulfed the mansion. At the front yard C Where all the captured people of the mansions household were kneeling C And the soldiers of the army as well as the heretic inquisitors stood, armed, side by side C Black hair fluttering in the night wind. Indifferent grey eyes. An aristocrat who seemed to have come out of a painting. It was Callius von Jervain. Callius? Why was he here? At the same moment as the question arose, events from the past flashed through Artemions mind like a panorama. Viole meeting Callius. Debt. Demon beast. Axe. North. Hero! They puzzle pieces came together and interlocked, forming the appearance of Callius. Suddenly, Artemions face contorted with anger. Callius you cur!! So it was you?! Dont scream, its disrespectful. Crack! Orcal struck Artemion, who was about to struggle to his feet despite being tied up, and forced him to kneel back down. Callius scanned the crowd, and pointed the sword in his hand at him. A transparent sword with a blue glow. A sword that seemed to contain the moonlight of the night sky. Judgment Sword C Medea. Oh, the sword of the Judge Artemion had only had a momentary burst of anger. But now that he remembered the spreading rumours about the Judge, and his sword C Fear gripped him in its claws. Fear rising from instinct. Count Artemion. The heavy voice pressed down on his shoulders. No one in this world was pure. Who could dare say they were unstained by sin? Corruption. Fraud. Nobility who lived without dabbling into such things were a tiny minority. Especially if they were a noble of this kingdom which had already started its journey into the path of ruin. Therefore, Artemion couldnt directly face the cold eyes of Callius looking down at him. He, too, had originally been a citizen of Carpe, and had been proud of his own country as a nobleman. Yet, he could only mourn and lament at the countrys slow collapse, and his resentment at the jeers of the empire had only grown with the times. Just by closing his eyes and ignoring some things, his wife and children could live in better safety and comfort. That was how hed stepped on this path, and walked further and further. Before being a noble, he was the father of his still immature children, and the husband of a wife who did not love him but was full of care and warmth. He closed his eyes. Then, and now. The act of closing his eyes remained the same, but the problem he was facing was completely different. You, have you ever colluded with the empire? In response to the single question from Callius C Artemion bowed his head. The bowed head spoke not, only deepening the silence. The sharp sword broke the stillness. It was on a night of the full moon, without a single cloud in the sky. A count of the kingdom, passed away. Extra issue[1]! Extra issue!! As the newspaper boy excited ran everywhere, a dramatic reaction spread through those who read the news. The nobles gulped silently, and the commoners smiled cheerfully. [A Sinner has been Judged]. Count Artemion, beheaded by the Judge? Hey~ Now that hes a count, he cut off the head of another count. Snicker snack! Its really funny. Isnt it? A man is dead. Its not that funny. Youre so stiff. This is what I was talking about. Helena and Esther were chatting over tea on a cafe terrace. After this brief exchange of words, each of them fell into their own thoughts. Their thoughts naturally drifted towards the same person. I heard that there was some discussion about his appointment as an inquisitor-captain. Why? He should just take office quickly. Im sure hell be able to catch and beat up all the traitorous nobles. Originally, the Church couldnt treat the nobles of the kingdom too harshly. Even the heretic inquisitors had to behave within their limits. Politics and religion were completely different things. However, Callius was both a pilgrim of the Order as well as a count. So the problem was something else. Hes still just a pilgrim after all. Like me, a pilgrim who couldnt find a sword to spend the rest of his life with. Moreover, there was no precedent for a pilgrim to become an inquisitor in the first place. Theyre fighting each other saying that theres no precedent for any of this. Its pretty obvious if you know where to look. As Helena said C Within the Church, the moderates and the radicals were deadlocked in an intense struggle. Editors Notes: [1] ?? (̖, hooe) are special newspaper issues, sold or distributed on the streets to deliver news of high public interest, from disasters to sports results. Chapter 83 A few days later. The Church headquarters, inside a conference room. Esther was attending a meeting, listening quietly. What do you think should be done about him? The subject, of course, was a prominent nobleman whod become a hot topic lately. A pilgrim nicknamed the Judge C C Callius, was the one being discussed. He should get the post, of course. But hes still just a pilgrim. He doesnt have a sword thats truly his own, that hes united his soul with. Hes still searching. In short, he was imperfect and incomplete. To appoint one such as him as an inquisitor? To have a pilgrim take on the post of an inquisitor, and even a captain at that, is unprecedented in the history of the Church since its founding in Carpe. Thats true. Never once has anyone other than a paladin ever become an inquisitor. Tradition is important. The act of setting a new precedent always unsettles the status quo, and disturbs organizational discipline. But his status is that of a count. Alvato, the leader of the moderate faction, looked at the hardliners sitting opposite him. A count becoming an inquisitor can you think of anything more tempting for us? Now the prestige of the Church is rotting in the mud. If we use him, we can root out the illicit activities of those noble bastards, and get some breathing room. Alvato inclined his head at the rest of the bickering bishops. Many nobles, including Artemion, have already died at his hands. Besides, he has the Sword of Judgment, thats why hes called the Judge. A sword that discerns lies. Couldnt they clean up the filth that riddled Carpe with it? What was the price one would put on that? A sword that changes colour if you tell a lie. With that alone, we can hunt down the corrupt and save this ailing kingdom! Precedent? Tradition? Who cares?! But C Screw your but! He himself wants the job, whats there to hesitate about! Callius is a rising star in the minds of the masses. Even those who always curse the Church as incompetent are singing his praises!! Do we still need to talk about it? Its no small benefit for the Church if we just make him an inquisitor. Just approve it! The only reason to refuse his appointment would be tradition. Precedent. That was all. Thered be no harm, and no benefit. Then why dont we just make him a paladin? What does he think? That hes still searching for his sword, so he cant. Ugh, pigheaded. As the debate bogged down and was only getting more and more tangled C Esther, whod been listening quietly, sighed. Sir Pope! Whats going on, why are you Im here to see my granddaughter. An old man had wandered in, careless like a neighbourhood drunkard. His face was full of wrinkles and spots that showed his age. And even though his skin was dry and cracked with age, and he looked old enough to be on deaths door, his voice and actions were still full of energy. The Pope of the Order of Valtherus. Felice du Evader Vallus. As he spoke the word granddaughter, his infinitely affectionate eyes rested on Esther. Sir Pope. You can call me Grandpa, you know. I cannot call you, Sir Pope, who represents the Church, by such a title. If youre Sullivians granddaughter, youre a granddaughter to me too. So call me Grandpa. Lady Sullivian has told me to not call you that. Silence engulfed the whole area. Pope Felice, whose face had stiffened at some point, suddenly gave her a broad smile. Heh heh heh! You really do take after her, youve got the same way of being honest without being shameless! We arent related by blood. Blood isnt a problem. We are all beings created by God, so if you go back long enough, we all come from the same bloodline. This easy-going neighbourhood grandpa was the centre of the Church. He was the 12th pope, known as the Pillar. Although hed retired from active duty, hed once been a legendary paladin whod firmly established his position in the realm of Masters. Therefore, none of the bishops present showed anything but the utmost respect for him. But whatre you all discussing? That is After listening to the story for a while, the pope frowned and gave a brief verdict. Do it. Yes? But Do it. Whys this so difficult? Hell, give him a command. Hes the Hero of the North, right? Whats the use of doing something half-baked? Make him a captain, you mean? There is no precedent, something so unconventional The lack of precedent isnt the problem. The real problem is this C will this be good for us or bad for us? So we have to do it and find out, how much good and how much bad comes from this. You bastards, youre all so old and youre still bickering like kids for something so simple. What is this, a kindergarten!? You old fossils, how much longer do you plan to waste time growling at each other? You there, Alvato, yes, you! Are you the only one who still doesnt know why youre bald? Why do you have to suddenly bring that up Milliman! You shave off your hair and beard too! How long are you planning to make fun of Alvato? Enough, I say! Understood. Lets go, Granddaughter. Im not your granddaughter, Sir Pope. Heh heh, youre a cute one. So, hows Sullivian doing? Am I still forbidden to come visit? Yes. Please dont. That nasty ol gal. But thats also part of her charm. The pope swore that he couldve won Sullivians heart if he were just three years younger. Although Esther thought it wouldnt have made much of a difference. The pope laughed and started regaling her with a story from thirty years ago. In the meeting room where a storm had swept through, leaving only an awkward silence behind, Alvato finally spoke up. Then, Ill give him the captaincy of the sixth division. There were no objections. A few days later. Its the symbol of a captain. There was an insignia on the white cloak. A pair of crossed swords were at its centre. The pure white cloak engraved with a pattern symbolizing the Heretic Inquisition contrasted with his jet-black hair, giving him a very pleasing overall appearance. With this, Callius had become an inquisitor-captain. The one in charge of the Sixth Inquisitorial Squad. I didnt know I was going to be the captain from the get-go. He had enough strength and had a splendid history, but there still shouldve been a process. He was planning to get promoted as fast as possible, but the pope had decided to give him the position in one stroke. It was an unexpected fortune. Congratulations, Callius. Thank you. It was a simple inauguration ceremony. The ceremony was being held in a brief format in Bishop Alvatos office at Callius request. A grand inauguration ceremony had been in the cards, but Callius had preferred otherwise. Itd have just wated his time. Theres no need to borrow trouble. He wanted to avoid various events that couldve occurred during the inauguration ceremony. For example, those murderous nuns from before mightve barged in to kill him. Of course, they werent the main reason. Alvato du Vallus. The leader of the moderate faction. One who was competing with Milliman for the next archbishops seat. And C The royal teacher. The current monarch C Clara von Agatha Bright, Alvato was her teacher and ally. Therefore he was an excellent candidate for a friend. The queen is absolutely indispensable for the goal I want to achieve. So, it was naturally necessary to befriend those at the queens side. The Timid Queen of Carpe had to be approached with care, as she was one of the most cautious people in the world. Ive always wanted to meet you face to face. Oh? Perhaps, you think theres a relic Its not because of some sacred object. I dont believe in that nonsense. Yes? Tsk tsk. Alvato looked at Callius with a deep gaze. How much trouble did you have to go through? I understand everything, so leave it to me. Yes. thank you. Callius didnt know what Alvato was saying he knew, but since the bishop was already shedding tears saying he knew everything C Come on. Things werent bad enough to cry. This baldy was apparently a sensitive soul. How much heartache did you suffer? Being abandoned by your own parents! The strength you had to hide while pretending to be a fool has finally blossomed, so!! Calius couldnt be sure, but the other party seemed to be labouring under a pretty strange misunderstanding. But it didnt seem harmful, so Callius left him to it. Oh, right, right. This isnt the time or place. I mustve looked ugly. No, no. There was a recommendation, you want the job, and we want you to have it, too, so you can take charge of the sixth squad C but theres a problem. What is it? It was a suggestion from the lieutenant of the sixth Division. From the lieutenant? What suggestion? That if he can beat you, he asks for the right to not listen to you. The lieutenant of the sixth squad, as in, the office right below the captain. Callius roughly understood what was going on. Was this a tradition within the Inquisition? Or was the man simply being territorial? There were many possible reasons, but the main point was the lack of trust. The Heretic Inquisition was an organization that dealt with doubts and heresy. It was only natural that those seeped in its doctrine wouldnt trust others easily. All the inquisitors of the sixth squad are suspicious of you. Theyre wondering if you killed Druma. Alvato clicked his tongue saying they were being nonsensical, but honestly, it was true and there was nothing for Callius to refute. So go beat the lieutenant. Thatll shut them up. Is it necessary? Honestly, it was annoying. Instead of a fight like that, he rather wanted to go catch at least one of the spies inside Carpe as soon as possible. Kingdom Quest Imperial Spies Save the kingdom from ruin by killing the spies of the empire. Number of spies killed: 8/? Monarchs Flag A Kingdom Quest. The Monarchs Flag was a must-have item. The archbishop was a difficult adversary, with his resourcefulness and power close to a Master. Callius was chipping away at his feet right now, but he was an opponent hed have to face off against someday. If he wanted to grab the tiger by the tail, he needed a stronger force if he wanted to win. Raising his swordsmanship was naturally necessary, but the most essential part was Sanctuary. He needed to develop a sanctuary. However, the swords Callius had now were all spirit swords, so he couldnt create a sanctuary with any of them. But if he got his hands on the Monarchs Flag, the story would be a little different. There was a limit on how many times you can use it, and its high-risk, but the Monarchs Flag allows even a spirit sword to do it, even if it destroys the soul of the sword in return. It allows a spirit sword to develop a sanctuary. The sword may break afterwards, but its still a trump card that can overcome the difference in power in a fight. It was a relic Callius couldnt allow himself to miss. Because only a sanctuary can stand up to another sanctuary. If you become a captain without any subordinates, youll have difficulty working, and your performance will drop. Besides, this is a tradition. If you accept the duel and make them recognize your ability, they wont be able to say anything. With your skill, you should be fine. Step, step. As I left Alvatos office, I thought deeply. How to catch all the spies in one go, like fish in a net. My feet suddenly halted as I found myself looking at a man leaning on the hallway wall ahead of me. Callius von Jervain. Or rather, I should call you Captain of the Sixth Inquisitorial Squad. Who are you? Are you perfectly blind? There was a scar on his nose. Among the four great noble houses, those with stigmas on their noses are from the East. Gradas. Only the Gradas family. And there was only one chief inquisitor from Gradas in the Heretic Inquisition. Genos von Gradas. Yeah, so you do know me. Jervains greenhorn. Ive heard of you. The man who oversaw the whole of the Heretic Inquisition. Chief Genos. As somebody from the family in the East, he was a swordsman who specialized in the quick sword. All families had their own characteristics, but Gradas of the East were particularly famous for their speed. And Genos was a special case even among them. SwishC! That was the quick, stealthy footwork that was his trademark. I drew out my sword as soon as his form disappeared. ClaaangC! Genos sword and mine collided. Sparks fluttered between us, and in the next instant, Genos form vanished again and fell far away. Thank you for the welcome. How long have you guess it doesnt matter. Anyway, we arent much different in age, and I have a higher rank, but youve got a counts title, so its perfect that we came across each other! Lets both now move on, shall we? No need to make a fuss. Contrary to his frivolous tone, the weight of his sword spoke quite a different tale. He was faster than I thought. Because thered been no warning in his aura, if I hadnt drawn my sword straight away, I might not have been able to block. Catarrh. A sword suited for assassins. Genos was using a hidden blade. His spirit sword. Catarrh. An assassination weapon, worn on your arm, that reveals itself when you apply pressure just the right way. Catarrhs unique ability was nothing special, but when it met Genos, the synergy was no joke. He was already fast, and to have the ability of [Silence] on top of that? If he put his mind to it, there were only a handful of people who could survive his assassination. Today was a warning. Shh. He took only one step, but appeared right in front of me, like a ghost. Dont be too mean. Because well end up annoying each other. If you work too hard, paperwork will start piling up. Understand? Work neat, work smart, and things will be just perfect. Got it? Swish. Finished with his speech, Gradas again disappeared in a flash. Theres one more annoyance. Cat Walk Genos. That quick and quiet footwork was truly befitting his moniker. Chief Inquisitor Genos C Although he had an unusual personality, that Gradas family footwork was quite interesting. It was something I really wanted to have. Chapter 84 Anivo. The footwork technique unique to the Gradas family, also called the footsteps of the beast. Originally, the Gradas were a family of assassins. Even before the founding of Carpe, theyd been famous, and their signature techniques and weaponry were all geared towards assassination. If Jervain of the North is famous for upright swordsmanship that shines under the light of day C Then Gradas of the East is famous for how it strikes from the cover of darkness. The first patriarch of the Gradas family had founded their footwork technique, which had been inherited by the wife of the founding king of Carpe, whod also been a contemporary saint of Valtherus. It was said that even Stella couldnt have kept up with her speed. Whatre you thinking so hard about? Click. Bruns put the teacup down on the table and said, giving Callius a puzzled look. Bruns. Yeah? Would you like something el- Youre really useless. What a horrible thing to say Didnt you tussle with a pilgrim recently? Ah, haha, how did you know? Just from that unlucky-sounding laughter, one could guess that the battle had ended in a ridiculous way with Bruns victory. Apparently, the duel had resulted from him trying to chat up a sister of the Church. Callius didnt even want to know any further details. I hear you grappled him with some kind of strange technique and wrestled him to the ground, is that what youre laughing about? A servant of the Jervain family threw away his sword to win a fight? Are you feeling proud? Im sorry. Its just, swords dont seem to fit in my hands, and I get heated up really easily when the fighting starts, so Callius shook his head. He already knew Bruns had no talent for swordsmanship. His physique had almost been sculpted to perfection because hed gone through a lot of hardship following after Callius, but he still couldnt do anything with a sword. Forget about two-handed longswords, he couldnt even use the dagger hed been given. Useless bastard. Sorry How was he supposed to whip this useless idiot into shape? Really, no answers sprang to mind. Whats Orcal doing? Hes out gathering information using his bugs, from what I heard. Hes sniffing around the mansions of the nobles you tipped him off about, Boss. Hes doing a good job. For a moment, Callius anger spiked as he compared Orcal and Bruns in his mind, but it soon subsided. Its rude to compare Orcal with this guy. Orcal was a paladin and a captain of the Heretic Inquisition. It wasnt polite to compare him with a back-alley thug like Bruns. Rather Hmm. Vivi, who was curled up under his feet, sleeping, might be a better comparison. No, its a little different for Vivi, too. Vivi was cute, after all. What was the point of comparing such a cute child with an ugly adult like Bruns? Callius drank a mouthful of tea, letting the taste cover his tongue. Gulp. It was bitter. Naturally, because it was black tea, but come to think of it Ah, I got it. The teas poisoned. Eh?! P-, poison!? Is there? Want to know how I know? Ill call a doctor right away! Seeing Bruns start making a fuss, Callius started massaging his temple with this free hand. Get out. Yes?! You mean I should get out and call someone right now, right? Just get out. But the poison Already detoxified. R-, really Youre awesome, Boss! Did this guy really have a screw or two loose? Callius didnt know what to say. Just the sight of that stupid face was enough to make his anger boil over. Bruns. Im going to give you a task that only you can do. T-, task!! Find the one who poisoned my tea, no, my teacup. They should still be nearby. You must find them. But theres nobody around other than you and me though? Now that Callius thought about it, that seemed correct. After becoming the captain of the sixth squad, he was originally supposed to go to the office hed been assigned, but hed refused directly. Whenever he stayed close to the Church, his traits kept popping out, and hed keep talking nonsense to any sister who wandered nearby. There were already enough nuns chasing after him. Now, they were in a villa at the edge of a forest, a little far from the Church. Occasionally, it was for the use of the knights of the Jervain family who came to the royal capital, so it was well-maintained and ready for immediate use. There was a forest very close, and the house had a large yard, too. It wasnt too far from the Church headquarters, and it was the perfect place for raising Vivi. There was even a training room in the villa, and there was no lack of rooms in general, so it was a good place to live in, in general. Theres no way somebody couldve put poison in my teacup if theres no one around. Find them. I see! Got it!! Seeing Bruns hastily rush out, Callius clicked his tongue. Even though he was captured by Viole so recently, he hasnt started using his head at all. Even such a great ordeal hadnt managed to nudge him awake. If itd been Callius in his place, he wouldve become more alert and started putting more effort into his training. I couldve just made him clean the villa, though. Hed ended up playing a stupid prank on him instead. Anyway. Continuing his thoughts on ??the Gradas family How far was I? Hed forgotten because of Bruns. Anyway, whats important is the footwork. Anivo, of the Gradas. As the best footwork technique in the kingdom, itd be very useful if he could learn it. Its a shame that theres no way to learn. Even Stella, whod been called a once-a-century genius, couldnt catch up with the Anivo. Shed made a similar technique, but hadnt left it behind because she hadnt deemed it good enough to pass on to the future generations. But theres no way I can get a Gradas to teach me. Hmm then lets forget it. Even when he gave it some thought, no reasonable answers[1] came to mind, so it was better to just quickly erase the idea. Whatre you thinking about? Looking at your face were you just thinking of me? Perfect! Did I get it right? What is it, sir? Speak of the devil and he shall appear. A man appeared out of nowhere. Since Callius had been busy thinking of something else, he didnt really notice. Until just before Genos spoke. What do you mean, what? Im here to see if my new subordinate is doing well. Youre using honorifics today, I see? Very nice! Youre my boss at the moment, so Im just treating you accordingly. What if I take off my badge? Genos brushed his hand against the insignia on his uniform. Ill treat you accordingly. Genos lifted the hand thatd covered his badge. Too bad! Ill wear it for the rest of my life. But what did you come here for? I dont remember inviting you. I told you. I just came to see if youre settling in properly. Theres no other reason. Are you here to observe? You can take it that way if you want. Oh, is it you pet beast? Cute! Can I touch it? If bites. Even cuter. Then can I talk to it? Id like it if you shut up and left, actually. Hahaha! A perfect comeback. Was this off his rocker? He really might be. Bump. Boss! I found some traces of the bastard who poisoned your teacup Bruns ran in with a pair of shoes. Genos happened to be barefoot. This guys crazy. It looked like hed left his shoes elsewhere in the villa to quieten his footsteps. This venerable official was far too serious in some very useless ways. Wait, whore you? This mans superior officer. On your knees, servant. Yes, Im kneeling. These shoes here Bruns. Yes? He poisoned my teacup. Now you have to fight him and win. Bruns pupils trembled like reeds in the wind. He seemed to be contemplating, which of them to listen to. You dare doubt my words? Oh, no, never, Boss!! And you! You villain! You dare try to fool me?! Bruns barrelled forward. This guys got some talent for comedy, I see. Shhh. Swish! Swiiiiiish! B-, Boss, hes too fast!! Genos flashed around the office, as if playing a game of tag with Bruns. Whoo It was an unexpected opportunity. Callius carefully took observed Genos and tried to understand the Anivo. Huh! When?! Your bodys pretty good. But you cant use those well-trained muscles properly, and your head is too dense to use. You seem like a back-alley thug, to be honest. Huh that, thats right. Genos saw through the Bruns essence in a very short time. Brunss face flushed red with shame, but no one cared. The Anivo of the Gradas. I got a good look. Its great. Looking through the eyes of a spectator, Callius could see the greatness of the Anivo. To be honest, the technique was so quick that it was difficult to properly track the positions or trajectories of the feet. I havent seen yours yet. Genos was talking about the swordsmanship of the Jervain family. Youll see it soon. Youre going to duel your lieutenant? Its not a duel, per se. He said he cant accept me, so I decided to fight for my insignia tomorrow. Itd be a good spectacle. The lieutenant of the sixth squad, Diego, huh? Then I should go see him instead of staying here. When Callius asked why C Sticking with Diego should show me a more interesting spectacle. Do you want me to lose? Yeah. Id really like to see you lose. Im a little envious of that nickname, the Judge. If you give me the Judgement Sword, I can give you my position as the chief. I refuse. Tch. His nickname was Cat Walk Genos, for reference. Youre so honest that Im not even mad. Genos had really just come to see Callius without any official business, so he simply opened the office window and put a foot on the sill. Oh, by the way, why did you send an application to the Royal Academy? Do you have any disciples? It didnt particularly matter. Because the academy was managed by one of the only five Masters in the kingdom C Fire Demon (ħ). I have a daughter. Daughter? I heard youre single? But before Callius could respond C Genos nodded his head as if he understood. Thats why you arent using the office the Inquisition gave you. Are you intentionally avoiding women? Yes. He wasnt wrong. It was better to stay away from them. Right. Was that it I didnt know you were a father. So He seemed to be misunderstanding something. Im not married yet, but I know being a father with children is a great thing. Youve had a hard time. Looking at Genos jumping out of the window, Callius murmured. What a weirdo. A street outside Karradi. Genos was walking while munching on a loaf of bread as large as his face, and muttering as he thought back on his conversation with Callius. He was weird. Hed heard various rumours about the man, but seeing him face to face, he was a neater guy than expected. His face was as handsome as if hed been drawn with a brush, and he possessed extraordinary aura and vitality. But something was strange. It was weird, like hed kept trying to hide something. To be honest, it could be called wondrous, rather than strange. He seems good at hiding his energy. He might be stronger than I thought. Callius seemed to be training to move and act while controlling his own spiritual power. I havent seen anything other than Masters who hide their power. Callius couldnt be a Master already, but he was definitely a strange one. A sneaky bastard who hide many things. But there was also another surprise. I never heard he has a daughter. If only Id gotten married earlier, I wouldve had a daughter just like him by now. Or a son. Why couldnt he get married? His face was good enough, wasnt it? Citizens were surprised to see Genos suddenly take out his sword right there on the crowded street and look at the reflection of his face. Aah, what! Genos bowed his head and apologized to the startled woman. Sorry. My apologies. Ah, its alright. After apologizing, Genos suddenly turned his head. The voice of the woman whod answered echoed in Genos ear. Beautiful. A lilting, melodious voice like a jade bell. Genos couldnt stand the impulse. I want you to have my son. Yes? Desolation filled the womans eyes. At the sight, Genos held back his tears and retreated. Excuse me. Oh, it was another failure! Genos ran, burying inside the pain of his shattered heart. Orphin? What just happened? Who was that? Some crazy pervert. Editors Notes: [1] ??? ? (lit. sharp method) is used in the negative form to mean you have no reasonable measures to a problem. It comes from the Chinese idiom ֮F (lit. awl in the sack) C just like an awl in a sack will always puncture the sack and show its sharp tip to the world, a wise mans talent would one day inevitably be revealed. Not having the sharp tip in the negative form means you, ahem, arent very wise, so to speak. Chapter 85 It was a dark night, with even the moonlight covered by clouds. Several candles placed on the floor were the only source of light in the darkness that enveloped the hall. At their centre, was Callius. Placed next to him was a sword. Silently kneeling, as if in deep contemplation, controlling his breathing, he was still as stone[1]. A minute passed, then ten, then an hour. Finally, Callius moved, as his divine power bloomed and his aura surged. WhoooshC Slowly rising, he grabbed the sword next to him and raised it above his head. His eyes were staring into empty air, but the image of a man was reflected in his retinas. The bastard whod provoked him in the past, with a mane of fluttering sun-coloured hair. Lutheon, a traitor and apostate of the Order. WhoooshC! Callius aura expanded. All the dozens of candles around him were extinguished one by one, until the last remaining candle also puffed out. ClaangC Callius threw his sword away. The candles that had been extinguished earlier, ate up the smoke and began burning again. Rivulets of sweat ran down his cheeks and wet the hall floor. Damn it. It didnt go well. What didnt, exactly? Of course, it was Other Shore Flower. There were several steps needed to execute it. First, build a Raging Flower Wave. Next, unfold a White Haze. Finally pierce the mysterious bridge between the two, and envelop and unite it with your sword. Although it resembled a sword boundary, it wasnt C it contained a complex force of repulsion in condensed form, made to collide with the opponents divine power and detonate. That, was the Other Shore Flower. But it took too long to execute. There were too many preparatory movements and techniques. It was of course a brilliant technique even with that, but since Callius had already achieved it once, he now wanted to master it. To be able to freely execute it, without the overly long preparatory sequence. I think I might get a clue about the fourth peak once I master this It wasnt just greed in his part. Callius had climbed to the third peak of the Six Peak Flowers technique a while ago, but hed made no further progress since then. Because it was needlessly difficult. Ever since leaving the North, hed regularly been trying to gather his spirit power into his belly, but hed never found a way to climb to the fourth peak. It was difficult. He knew itd be difficult, but this was too difficult! Callius dearly missed the help of the Death Verse Composition. Hed even considered artificially creating a near-death situation, but since he had no holy water on hand, hed shelved the idea. The situation was supremely frustrating, to say the least. The wall is too high. He remembered the feeling at that time. The sensations hed felt when hed killed the orc general, was still indelibly etched into his hands. Yet without that strange state of enlightenment, hed failed in every attempt to properly recreate it. Theres still no progress. His path was blocked by a high wall. Unlike his complaints which only grew with time, Callius growth had stagnated. Of course, his strength had risen remarkably higher compared to his time in the North, but he was still hungry for more, and it was as if he could smell a luxurious banquet just a little further along his path. A sturdy wall was blocking the way. He just needed to break it down. Then he would go forth and feast! But how? This just isnt working. Callius slumped back on the floor, sitting cross-legged. Hed been thinking. [Six Peak Flowers C Three Peaks]. There were now three strong buds in his elixir field, and inside them was the seed of a defeated God. Hed been wondering if there was a way to exploit it further, but to no avail. He never missed a day of practice, and he tried to activate it whenever he had free time, but so far thered been no significant result. It was quiet as if its role had been fulfilled. To be honest, he didnt know even now what the seed actually was. Itd disappeared as if it had been completely absorbed. Wondering whether it lay dormant within the three peaks, hed tried again and again to access it, but thered been no response. Callius wished someone would let him know what its actual deal was. Lets do some training. Callius again concentrated on the three peaks in his elixir field. Or rather, the veins between them. The veins C Were the circular pathways that connected the buds of the three peaks, like a stem. If he focused his spiritual power upon it, that stem would grow and dig into his whole body as if it were alive. From his elixir field, it would start radiating outwards, following the passages of his divine blood. Like the roots of a tree. But theres a limit. It was limited in its reach. Right now, it reached his solar plexus at best. That was all. And once he released his focus, the stem of the veins would fade once again, and sink back into his elixir field. Once again connecting the three peaks in a circle. Though several trials, Callius had already verified the effect and effectiveness of the veins. Once I activate the veins, my cycling of divine power becomes faster and denser. Divine power, is drawn from the outside. It enters the body through the sacred orifice, and if the veins are there to facilitate the cycle, the circulating speed and density can double, or even triple. Meaning the system can handle twice or thrice the load. Thats how insanely efficient the veins are. The purity of divine power is of course a boon. And the circulation speed being much faster, makes it useful in high-speed combat. If youre quicker to circulate your power, you can move and act a step ahead compared to your opponent. You can also shorten the time to gather your physical and spiritual power for an explosive surge, with the help of the three peaks blooming. Callius mastery of the spirit veins hadnt reached its limits yet, so as he continued to practice, his horizons should gradually expand. Huff. Callius gathered his thoughts and brought out a silver cup from his bosom. The items hed obtained from the North were all in a set. Hed given Emily one of the three sacred stones, so there were only two left now. He planned to consume these two once he was confident in breaking through the wall he was facing. But he didnt know how to use the last item. Click. A silver chalice. It was the holy grail of a defeated God. What even is this? What was its use? Holy grails were legendary for their power of purification, but thered been no response when hed poured some water into it. Even with blood, thered been no reaction. It doesnt have any divine power. Even if I put in the sacred stones, nothing happens. Really, if you did have to give me something, couldnt you at least tell me how to use it? Tch! Callius clicked his tongue as he put the holy grail back. Suddenly, all around became bright. While hed been lost in thought, the night had passed and the sun was rising over the mountains. Its tiring to practice all alone. Theres no point if Im not making any progress, either. Having a teacher wouldve been great, but there was nobody here who deserved to teach him. To be honest, he could be proud of himself. Whats old Bernard doing, I wonder? Nostalgia took hold of him for a moment, but then Callius shook his head and got up. Even the old man would find it difficult to help. Because he now only had a single arm. By the way, I think the duel is today? Ever since arriving in the capital, he hadnt moved his body properly. Since the lieutenant was begging for a fight, Callius decided to give him a beating first, but hed have to figure out his future prospects for training afterwards. Should I write a letter when Im done? That old man C He mightve been scolding his wayward disciple who hadnt sent back a single letter. Really, that guy, hes never going to learn any manners. Thats just how Dad is. Ha! Haaaah! While looking at the prospective knight candidates wielding their swords, Bernard cursed Callius while Emily was by his side. Emily had no reaction at all to her father being cursed at. She just stared at her peers training, her hands crossed under her chin, as if bored. Anybody here who can give you a fight? Not in my age group, no. The Jervains your age should be a little different? Theyre similar. Come to think of it, this was a child whod fought orcs on the battlefield. It was normal that her peers couldnt satisfy her. Hmm, if he hasnt gotten involved in anything useless, he shouldve reached the capital by now. Why hasnt there been any contact? Emily, poor lass, you dont feel like hes abandoned you again, right? Not really. It doesnt matter. You know, its nice to hear you call him Dad. Do you call him that in your head? If Callius ever heard you call him that in public hed go wild. Kahaha! Stop drinking. It smells. Its holy water, I tell you! Holy water! Knock it off! Gulp. KahaC! This taste makes life worth it. You do nothing but drink every day. If youve got nothing else to do, please fight me. Do you want to fight an old man with only one arm left? Youre still strong, arent you? All right, all right, little girl. Bernard emptied the bottle and let out a breath. Emily. tell me something. Do you know where Rivan and Rinney have gone? Why? Just curious. It doesnt matter if you tell me now, you know. No matter where they go, they wont be able to hide that they are Jervains. The black hair and the grey pupils couldnt be hidden so easily. They didnt specifically come and tell me before they left. I just have a rough idea. So, where did they go? They left because they thought they were going to die otherwise. So, where? To the capital of Carpe. Theyve followed him? They thought thatd be the only way to survive. Because there was no one in the North to give them shelter. And Callius would? He wont kill them, at least. Why didnt you go too? I I said I was going to wait. The eyes of the girl with her head bowed were filled with longing for her father. That bastard wont come back anytime soon. If you keep waiting, you might be an old maid before he does, you know? Then should I go too? At the same time C I frowned. Why are you here? Greeting, Sir Heir of Jervain. Shouldnt we call him Count, now? Hes a captain of the Heretic Inquisition. Captain would be more appropriate. From the left, Orphin de Liofen. Rinney von Jervain. And finally, Rivan von Jervain. We arent inquisitors though. So we should call him Count. Since the young lady is also a Jervain, wouldnt Heir be better? Count is the best to use in public, since its the highest title. All right. Then, Count. Thump. Orphin knelt down, and following her, Rivan and Rinny also knelt together. Please accept us. This was a symbolic action. Signifying allegiance for nobility. However C Denied. Ive already got one useless hanger-on in Bruns, why would I add more? I have no obligations towards any of you. Then! Its fine if its not me! But the two of them What about them? They have nowhere to go. What, did they forget the North where they were born and raised? Just go back there again. Why did you come down south with these two in tow? Then we will die. Rinney begged. Had she grown taller? I hadnt seen her for a few months, but she seemed to have grown a little. Why would you die for no reason? You are a Jervain! Even if from a branch line, they were still Jervains. Whod dare kill one? In the North, only the beasts and the orcs would dare harm a Jervain. Well probably die by the hand of the Jervain family. Killed by the family? I hadnt considered that. You know what they call us? Jervains shame! Son and daughter of a traitor. The knights who used to shower with us gifts, now frown every time they see us. Jervains blood runs cold. The Jervain coat of arms was symbolic of that, in a sense. Useless bloodlines would be pruned off. The faces of these children were reminders of the traitor who had carved his shame on the flawless mien of Jervain. To be honest, the original Callius had been a direct bloodline descendant so it was different for him, but it was common for Jervains to kill each other. There was a chance that the family elders themselves might come forward and erase them. Come to think of it, the patriarch told me to take care of them, but I forgot and came straight down south. There were so many things on my plate that Id plain forgotten about the matter. Please! Please!! P-, please. Except for Rivan, for whom kneeling seemed to be hurting his self-esteem, the others looked very pathetic as they begged. As I was contemplating what to do, Bruns pulled up a wagon. Woohoo! Eh? Whats all this? That idiotic voice broke the solemn atmosphere. Get up immediately. Ive got some business to take care of. What I scratched the bridge of my nose. The lieutenant of my squad has applied for a spar with me. I will go too! Me too Can we go together? No, the carriage is too small to fit all of us While saying that, I actually took a look, and C You brought something pointlessly large. Bruns had borrowed a far too large wagon for no reason. I did good, right? If they see this, even the inquisitors will once again realize your magnificence, Boss! He was being spectacularly useless, as usual. Tch. Just drive. Yeah!! Editors Notes: [1] ??? (lit. dead wife stone), from a Korean legend about a faithful wife who waited so long for her distant husband to return that she turned into a fossil. Chapter 86 Rumble! The wagon shook loudly as the wheels hit a protruding stone. Bruns, the driver, glanced back at the compartment, but Callius was still immersed in thought and didnt say anything. Things have changed a lot. The northern lands, originally supposed to be destroyed, did not collapse, and the minions of the empire, who shouldve been running rampant, lost their momentum because of Callius Sword of Judgment. A lot had already changed. Including appearance of information that hed never known about in the game. That didnt make what he knew worthless, but it did mean he could no longer be certain in his knowledge. Is it okay to continue like this? The answer, was no. Up until now, hed only gotten stronger by himself. There was no one whod care about a maniac, so he hadnt exactly chosen to stand alone, rather hed been compelled to. But wasnt it different, now? If you have to push yourself. If you have to try and do something beyond your scope. Those are the reasons for people to form groups. Because theres a limit on how much one can achieve alone. Callius knew which direction the majority of the important people in the Carpe were heading. If he could recruit them in advance and assimilate them into his own force, itd become a pretty powerful faction. As Callius thoughts reached that point, he looked up at the twins. They arent useless, at least. Unlike Bruns, who only ever knew to dumbly stare at him C Nurturing these people would benefit him. Orphin still had room for growth, and the twins had even more potential than that. Rivan and Rinney. When they came of age, theyd go and make great achievements on the frontlines against the empire in the West. Things had changed a lot from the original scenario, and Callius tossing and turning had made them lose all support, but that didnt diminish their future potential. So they were worth nurturing. More than Bruns, anyhow. But its annoying. Although they were worth nurturing C That didnt mean he wanted to do it himself. Who knew how long itd take for them to grow up enough to be worth using? For such a vague promise of reward, should he give up even his own training and time? When even his own path was blocked by a wall? Also, little kids were annoying. Should I send them to the academy instead? If it was just to give some help, that wasnt such a big problem. Originally, hed been thinking of sending Emily there to broaden her horizons, but then Rivan and Rinney came along. If he didnt accept their request, they really might die. It didnt really matter if they died or not, but theyd been together on the battlefield for a little while. It wasnt that it wouldnt help later, either, so thinking about the future of Carpe, there was nothing wrong with helping them out a little. Orphin. Yes, please tell me. Ill send Rivan and Rinney to the Royal Academy. You must bring the necessary documents and items. R-, really!? Rinney, of course, and even Rivan, widened their eyes in amazement. They looked like they hadnt expected this at all. Orphin was just as happy. Its not just about sending them there to study swordsmanship. Then? The Royal Academy has many children from Carpes nobility. You two need to build relationships with the children of the nobles Ill point out. It was kind of a deal. Hed help the twins. And the twins would form bonds with noble children, which would be helpful to him later. This investment would definitely give him returns in the future, so in the long run, it was a pretty good deal for Callius too. Some of them would be helpful later, and some, not. Rinney will connect with the helpful guys. Rivan will have to make friends with the unhelpful. Uh, what? Unhelpful? Callius considered whether or not to talk clearly about it, but theyd eventually find out anyway, so he ended up confiding in them. Rivan, the children of the nobles you should become friends with, will all be children of the corrupt people I will punish. Rivans face turned white. Callius was telling Rivan to catch hold of their weaknesses in advance. Your mission is going to be a big one, so if you dont like it, tell me. Instead of you No, not Rinney. Ill do it. Rivan couldnt handle even the gentlest of taunts. Or was it his pride as a brother? Most of the children of the corrupt nobles resembled their parents, so theyd get along well with Rivan. Because Rivan was also one of them at his core. In any case, it was as simple as letting Rivan investigate and pass to Callius the information about their parents, one by one. He might feel guilt and it might even be risky, since hed have to stay close to those parents to find things out, but that was none of Callius business. Its a deal. Yeah, this is a deal. The twins were using him too. And he was using them in turn. It was just a transaction, so there were no lingering debts on either side. Rivan put his hand out. It looked like he wanted to shake hands to complete the transaction. He was a cheeky bastard to the end. Handshake. Its a deal. Callius snorted. The little boy was still as stiff-necked as hed always been. Put that away. Shaking hands is only done when people are on an equal footing. Dont forget your current circumstances. Rivan flushed and clenched his fists. Reprimanding him like this was necessary. Because the arrogant edges of his personality needed to be smoothed out a bit. Everyone, were here! Then, the story ends with this. Because theres another spoiled bastards I need to deal with. As Callius got off the carriage, he found the inquisitors of the Sixth Inquisitorial Squad already waiting, glaring at him with malice in their eyes. That bastard just now, and now these bastards too. Youre all cheeky. Seeing the rows upon rows of sullen eyes C Callius felt like today he should exert himself a bit. Here you are, Boss. Yeah. Theyd use ordinary iron swords. There were no other rules in this sparring match. What was your name again? Dingo? Its Diego. The lieutenant of the sixth squad. Diego. He had neatly trimmed blue hair, and a plain face except for a scar on his cheek. Diego. Let me ask you one thing. What are you doing this for? All hed mentioned he wanted was the right to not listen to Callius orders. So Callius didnt know what he was truly hoping for in his heart. Did he want the captaincy? So Callius simply asked. What his true intention was. Diego answered with bloodshot eyes, holding his iron sword at an angle. I know. That you killed our captain. Callius facial expression didnt change. And how do you think you know that? If not, prove it. With that great Sword of Judgment of yours. I dont have to, though. No? You hypocritical bastard. Ive already looked at the captains body. His neck had clear marks that seemed to be the work of a beast, but nowhere else. Instead, there were traces of a sword. Youre the only possibility. Right. Do you admit it? What if I do? It was okay to skip the sword duel. The Church didnt care, anyway. Besides, hed already became the captain, and since he was a Jervain with the title of a count, it shouldnt be a big deal. And C Druma and Ryburn were going to die, anyway. Those two were always bound to die. Although it could be said that all the people in the world were bound to die sooner or later, those two had a strong relationship with the extremist faction, so they wouldve definitely died at his hands in the future. Or theyd die in the civil war. Either way, they were dead men walking. The archbishop was going to make his arrangements soon, and both of them were his pawns. I will take revenge. Are you capable of that? Fully! WhooshC! Dodging the sword that came at an angle C Callius noticed the strong aura it contained. Although it was supposed to be only a spar, the aura gave that the lie. Callius glanced at Genos, standing nearby, because this was absurd. Are you going to just let this go? Its fun, so yeah. Genos grinned strangely at who knew what he found funny, and declined to intervene. The referee was also a madman, adding on to the absurdity of the situation, but there was nothing Callius could do about it. I just have to smash him down. The sword that came at him, no matter how strong it looked on the surface, felt shallow. Apparently, it was only the barks of a rude dog that didnt know its place. If that were the case, then it should be enough to demonstrate the overwhelming disparity between them. Even though he was blocked by a wall right now, he wasnt at a level where guys like these could dream about beating him. Deputy Commander Diego mightve been the best among the paladins in the squad C Yeah, I guess youre just a lieutenant. But he was weaker than the captain. Things were going strangely. The crowd of people whod been blatantly clamouring for Callius death at the start of the match, were now keeping their mouths shut. In the midst of that suffocating silence C Only the two little children Callius had brought with him were chattering as if they were having fun. You saw? Yeah. The count turned the sword round in a circle, so even though that blue-haired guy was chopping down with both hands, he still got redirected and hit the ground instead. Rivan and Rinney, whod climbed a nearby tree to spy on the spar, were filled with excitement as they looked at Callius swordsmanship. Although Rivan had been insulted with a fork in the North, he couldnt help but know of Callius deeds there. Because Callius was now called the Hero of the North, he had no choice but to respect the man as a knight, even if he was personally reluctant to do so. While glancing up at the blatantly chattering twins, Orphin was internally full of surprise. Youve become stronger than ever. Callius now showed more sophisticated swordsmanship than when hed been in the North. It used to be strong and fast, but now it looked rather slow and powerless, but it was nevertheless even more efficient. Should it be said that all unnecessary power has been pruned out? Should it be said that the opponents power was being used against him? It looks like hes toying with his opponent. On the surface, Diego was attacking fiercely, and Callius was being pushed into defence. But in fact, Diego was the one perplexed. With minimal movement and minimal force, Callius parried and blocked his opponents sword. If the opponent, frustrated, tried a big technique, Callius stabbed at the flaw that opened up. Hah, hah, hah. Huff C Of course, there were physical differences as well. Diego attacked with divine power, but not Callius. He was fighting without consuming almost any divine power. This This is Jervains trash? It was like watching an adult deal with a child. Callius was consistently indifferent to Diegos attacks. He was so relaxed that he didnt even need to raise his divine power. How could there be such a difference in skill? This is the problem with you paladins. You tend to believe only in your divine power and neglect physical training. So now youre out of breath. Callius slowly raised his sword. Looking at him pose as a teacher, Diego almost foamed at the mouth. Shut up! But the victor didnt change no matter how much his spittles flew. As Diegos sword rushed in like a wild boar, Callius parried it with a flick and repelled it. ClaaaangC! Whiiiish, th-udC The sword struck the floor, bouncing a few times. Diego fell to his knees at the same time. What a piece of garbage. Druma mightve been satisfied with that, but Im not. If the lieutenants skills are like this, I can tell how skilled those below you would be. Ugh Sparks flew from the eyes of the squad members whod been gloomily watching their lieutenants defeat. Are you sad? If you feel unhappy, feel free to come up and raise your sword like your lieutenant did. But it wont just be a spar this time. Itd be a true duel. A life-and-death duel between members of the Church. Not with toy iron swords, but with carcasses. It was a naked insult. But no one came up. Even Lieutenant Diego had been destroyed like that, so what could lowly squad members like them do? Youre all garbage. I was the idiot for thinking you guys would be of any use. Why would the subordinates be any different from their boss? At that bitter insult, everyone grabbed the swords they wore around the waist. But Callius only laughed at them. Even if they grabbed their swords, no one dared to come up directly. If they did come up, they wouldnt be going down alive. The stark difference in power had already been demonstrated. Are you feeling sad? This is how power works. Why do you think we are lagging behind the empire? Because the sword is weaker than the spear? No. Were just weak. Why do you guys have no choice but to stand still and listen to my insults? Because youre weak, too. The weak have no right to speak. Power is providence itself in the world of man. The strong act proud in front of the weak, but the weak can only bow infinitely low in front of the strong. They can only lower their eyes and tremble, without any way to express their dissatisfaction. Like a listless dog. That was the current state of Carpe. No matter how many times the empire invades the kingdom, we can only defend. No matter what insults they throw at us, we can only persevere. Such was the disastrous ordeal that a powerless country had to suffer. It hadnt been like this in the beginning. A few hundred years ago, the sword and the spear had been evenly matched, and constantly at each others throats. But that was long ago. The empire ate up the other nearby nations, and grew in power and reach. Carpe didnt. It was a small difference. Carpe had the power to do it, but didnt. And this was how it ended up. How long are you going to live like that? Then what should we do? One inquisitor shouted. Almost crying. He was a sensitive guy, for a paladin. Its simple. You just have to become strong. We practice all the time! Then your training methods mustve been wrong. Having said that, Callius stopped talking. Because a good idea had just popped into his head. Wrong training method, huh? Now Callius himself was blocked by a wall. Hed tried everything he could, but the wall showed no signs of budging. There didnt seem to be any way out, except the ability of Death Verse Composition. These guys could be my test subjects. Didnt someone say so? The reason people teach is not for others, but for themselves. By letting others know, you can know yourself more thoroughly. Follow me. You, with your rubbish skills Ill train you. Tock, tock, tock. Heavy raindrops fell from the dim sky. Anyone whos watched the spar should know. I didnt use even a single speck of divine power. How can that be? Because your skills are so superior The eyes of the lieutenant commander, whod been lying on the floor in the training arena, turned to the person whod spoken with a glare. Callius slammed his fist into Diegos face. Thud! Uggh! Right. But its only half right. Because I have high basic physical abilities. Even if you draw out your divine power and strengthen the functions of your body, you cant overtake me. Then, consider, whod have the upper hand? Uh, you, Captain. Somebody finally called Callius Captain. Callius smiled and nodded. This fact is often overlooked. What do you do with your divine power? Mostly people use it draw out the power of their swords, or greatly increase their physical abilities. However, the reality is that physical training is often neglected as a result. Most of the techniques of praying to and beseeching God to improve the quality of your divine power, rather than physical power, are inefficient. And the efficiency of your technique is just garbage. But we All of them mustve been trained by the Church. But they were still trash. Because the basic spiritual power training method was just that bad, with an abysmal efficiency. Then, what do you recommend, Captain? Its annoying to specify every detail. Rather, some sparring would be better for demonstration. The faces of the squad members contorted even more. It wasnt enough for them to be insulted, now they were going to be harassed under the guise of sparring? So come learn by yourselves, instead. ? The faces of the members, whod been trembling with shame and anger, brightened a little. Think, discuss, practice. And challenge those stronger than you to prove that youre really bettering yourselves. You cant force somebody to learn swordsmanship with just theoretical explanations. It needs self-awareness, and self-realization. Callius would let them understand the essence of swordsmanship from him. I will not force you. However C If you seek strength, follow. You will never regret it. And if anyone here ever beats me in a spar, Ill hand over the captaincy to them. Leaving only those words behind C Callius left without any regrets. Chapter 87 It was interesting. Wasnt any fun, though. Genos, who was serving as the referee of the spar, said exhaustedly as he lost interest in the result. Callius didnt even show his swordsmanship properly. He just used basic swordsmanship. And only fundamental movements. So Genos didnt get to have much fun at all. To be honest, hed had no idea there was such a gap between the captain and the lieutenant. Not to mention those minimalistic movements. It wasnt that hed never seen swordsmanship like this before, that could subdue an opponent with the least amount of power. Among the many monsters sitting above him in the hierarchy, such swordsmanship wasnt unheard of. One of the kingdoms Masters, for example, wielded such a swordsmanship, although it had resulted him having a sly and sinister reputation. Rumour has it that he uses Stellas swordsmanship. Is it true, or not? Of course, it wasnt that thered been nothing to see. That leadership ability, insulting the troops and yet galvanizing them at the same time by preaching the logic of strength and weakness, was quite impressive. But as a descendant of one of the four great noble houses, and one whod gone through a war, it was only to be expected. There was one thing thatd come as quite a surprise. I agree that the fundamental training method provided by the Church is garbage. But to realize that by yourself and carve out your own path has always been the tradition. Neither choice was wrong, though, in his view. The sixth squad will become stronger, it seems. The sixth squad was bound to become much stronger in the future. That was what Callius seemed to be aiming for. Knock, knock. C Come in. Opening the door, Genos saw Bishop Milliman, whose full head of hair and voluminous beard had now been halfway shaved off in a very strange manner. Bishop? What happened to your hair? I cut it. His long hair and beard had been cut in half. To be more specific, exactly one side of his hair and his beard had been shaved off. It looked hilarious. Genos bit down on his lower lip to stop himself from laughing out loud, his actions natural as flowing water. The pope scolded me and told me to shave them off. But Im pretty attached to my hair, so I compromised. You look perfectly half young. Ill take that as a compliment. But C Whats going on? I have something to report. If so C He was better than you expected? Yes. Then, did you find anything that could be a weakness? Weakness Genos recalled the application form. For admission to the Royal Academy. Didnt he have a daughter? Right. Genos batted his eyes in response to Millimans question. To be perfectly candid not particularly? Early morning. The Jervain villa. Bruns sighed as he watched Callius lean against the bedroom wall, holding his sword. Is that you, Bruns? Yes, yes, Im here. Theyd been together for a while, and Callius always slept like that. Except when he got injured, he always slept without lying down properly. He never let go of his sword, even while lying down. That is how you have to concentrate on your sword, apparently. When Bruns saw that figure, a lot of thoughts went through his head. How noisy. Yes. Theyre training as you instructed. Its noisy. A panoramic view of the shining sun could be seen through the windows. But along with it came the untimely smell of sweat, wafting inside Callius villa. Those bug-like bastards came here to get stronger even after hearing such insults. Members of the sixth squad were running near Callius villa. Not all of them came. He saw about a dozen people. Since there were thirty in total, only a third of their number had come to train. Its not a bad start. Callius watched them through the windows, and then quickly washed and changed his clothes, using the water Bruns had brought. The mountain is quite steep, so running at that pace will naturally build up stamina. But whats with those two? At the end of the procession were two little kids, Rivan and Rinney. They were keeping pace with the squad members, although they were still at the tail end. They want to be strong, too. Will something like that really make them stronger? Where you start from doesnt matter. The kingdom didnt lack swordsmen. But not all of them kept practicing. Was it because they didnt wish to be strong? No. Because they compromised. Saying, this is enough. This much of hard work should be enough. You have to eat rice. You have to nibble on some snacks. You have to take a little break, now and then. They couldnt get any stronger because these thoughts were stuck in their heads. Because once you start compromising, youll never stop. Yeah, people cant become strong if they dont train hard enough that they feel like dying. Right there on the verge of wanting to die, thats the correct cadence. If you can train, its better to train with all your might. That way, the efficiency of strengthening the body with divine power also increases. On the battlefield, an instant can mark the difference between life and death. So can a handful of divine power. Since a drop of stamina can decide your life and death, if you dont want to die, you have to train. The lieutenant is here, too, I see. Yes Youve got something to say? He might become strong and take revenge one day. It doesnt matter. The more they worked themselves to death, the more ways Callius could experiment. Fighting against a strong opponent is what Im hoping for. I want them to be strong. But would it work with just that? What do you mean? Its just running, isnt it? Its not for you to worry about. If youve got nothing to do, go and run. Ha ha, no, no. No? Oh? Why arent you running? You are of no use here. Such ruthless words Run. If you dont want to die. Bruns wept and started running towards the squad in the distance. Orphin, giving him a strange glance as he ran away crying, came to greet Callius. Orphin. Yes. Are the preparations going well? Yes, I have submitted the applications to the academy in your name. If it was in the name of a count C Getting into the academy shouldnt be a big problem. Then give this to Rivan and Rinney. What is this? Its a list. A list of the ones they should become friends with. Callius memory was sparse, but there were people in the academy who definitely needed to be befriended. Academy alumni, and their parents, too. Anyway, there was nothing wrong with building a network of connections in advance. Of course, the same went for those who needed to be killed one day. By the way, Orphin. Did you come here as their governess? No. Then why did you come? Because you saved my life. Did she come to repay the favour? Callius was far too cynical to take her word for it. The majority of the North owes me their lives at least once. You just had to pay me back by working in the North. You didnt have to come here directly. Allen and Aaron, for example. And the rest of the knight whod fought with him in the North, too. They hadnt followed him here. After all, the North was the home hed have to return to one day, so they were repaying him by protecting it. I want to be by your side. I want to offer my sword to only one person. You, Sir Callius. Hmm. Orphin du Liofen. Originally, she was supposed to play a part in Callius death. However, the idea of her wanting to become his sword was a bit fresh. Orphin. Yes. Keep still. Yes? Hhup! Callius put his hand on Orphins lower abdomen. Orphin blushed, wondering what was going on, but soon the excitement subsided and she began to get nervous. Have you practiced Jervains technique? Ye-, yes? Ah Thats right. Callius pulled his hand away and tilted his head in thought. Unlike those other test subjects, Orphin needed serious consideration. Should I do it properly? Hed only planned to beat up the others until they saw the light, but by teaching Orphin properly, hed be able to accumulate much better data. Disperse it. Yes?! But Physically speaking, you dont fit Jervains training method. It mustve been a long time since your growth has been blocked by a wall. Am I right? How could you know that? The Orphin he knew started as an ordinary knight, but she was one of those knights whose skills would suddenly improve later due to some sort of incident. The reason for this lay in her practice method, and the day would come when shed realize that Jervains technique didnt suit her. In this way, Orphin would develop a new, unique technique; and change it all into a style that suited her. Let it go. And make a new one. A technique that suits you. Ill help you with it. She had the talent. Just a little help, and she should be able to make it work. A knight whod trained in the harsh environment of the North. With the body of a woman, at that. Her physique was already satisfactory. Change your sword style. To what? Use a heavy sword. Her temperament was usually calm and even. This was quite an advantage in the heavy sword style, but Orphin used a thin long rapier and had learned swordsmanship that emphasized speed. Due to the differences in the basic skeletal structure and average physical strength between men and women, most female knights tended to use quick swords. It mightve been an unavoidable choice for most of them. But Orphin was better suited to the heavy sword than the quick sword. Dont be fooled anymore, and do what I say. Its better for you to switch to defence rather than offence, and aim for counterattacking at the flaws in your enemys defence. Its tremendously difficult to change the sword style youve been training in for your whole life. However, she would change it anyway, one day. Since it was supposed to change anyway, be it now or later, it was better for her to change it now. Because she still had time. There was still time before the civil war would break out in the kingdom, and Callius was slowing it down even further by capturing and killing the corrupt nobles. If its difficult, you can go back. If youre not going to be my knight, but Jervains knight, you dont have to do it. But C If you want to be my knight and mine alone C If you want to be by my side, you have to do it. Otherwise, youll just be killed. A knight protects their master. But right now, she was more in the state of having to be protected rather than protecting others. Callius couldnt trust his back to someone like that. Are you going to give up? Orphin bit her lip. Then she clenched her fists and answered. All right. Ill do it! The corners of Callius lips curved up. Bump! Tap! Thud!! Crrrackk! I lost, I lost. Just try it one more time. Then it wont end with just this. A girl holding a wooden sword spoke dignifiedly to a crying boy. A gang of boys were running away in the distance. And C Wow! Captain won again! The girls gang celebrated the victory with shining faces. Carpe is also known as the land of swords. So kids brawling each other with wooden swords are bound to be everywhere. And the girl called Captain, too C Was one of the young buds that dreamed of one day blooming into a knight. Her name was Flora. Whatre you doing there, Daughter! Oh, Dad! And she was the only young daughter of a lonely father. Did you fight again? I had a duel! A duel! Of course, I won! I didnt even get hurt this time, you know? She smiled, showing her hands and arms. Floras father hugged his daughter tightly with a proud face. Oh, isnt that great? Is my daughter really going to be a knight when she grows up? Of course! Absolutely! Ill become a very strong knight! Ill become an incredibly strong knight like that pilgrim with water-coloured hair, and Ill buy you delicious food! Hey~ Dad will be comfortable in his old age because of his daughter. Thank you~ Lets go home now. Yeah! However, the girls father abruptly stopped while walking down the street. His expression hardened for an instant, but Flora couldnt see her fathers face. What is it? Arent we going home? Dad left something behind. Run home first, Daughter. What? Lets go together, then. No. Flora. Daddy will go and come back soon, promise. Can you go first? Yes okay! Come back fast! Okay. Ill come home soon. The fathers expression, waving his hand as he watched the child disappear, quickly cooled. And immediately afterwards C At the entrance of the alleyway, a man whod been hiding in the shadows appeared and spoke to him. Your daughter has grown a lot. Its been over twelve years since you came here, hasnt it? Yes. Your daughter wants to go to the academy She seems to have a lot of talent, just like you. What did you come here for? Theres some business you have to deal with. As always. Ill take care of it. Youve already made contact with the target, as it happens. Its a shame, that business with your wife. But I had no choice. I couldnt risk her getting captured by the Inquisition. I know. Im glad you understand my position, my friend. When the father opened the document, the personal information of the assassination target came into view. [Callius von Jervain]. So its the count. Hes a troublemaker. It doesnt matter if you choose to return to your home country once this jobs done. Your daughter should also go to the empire and get a proper upbringing instead of staying in a ruined country such as this. Dont you think so? Peter? Chapter 88 In Callius mansion, the troops were stoning each other. Haap! Hah!! Bang! Bang! Bump! Eleven personnel threw stones at only one person. The heretic inquisitor standing at the centre was training to dodge and block using his sword. If he couldnt use his footwork, he would parry the stones with his sword, or at least block them with minimal damage. Those whod passed a certain level of physical fitness test were now doing this kind of training. Ouch! Stop, stop! The inquisitor who was beaten all over declared surrender. There was a light stream of blood running from his head. Treat your wound. Next. Whew here I come! Next was the lieutenant of the Sixth Division. Callius shook his head at the hearty enthusiasm. Start throwing. Haap! Haaah!! Clang! Claaaang! The first five minutes went well. He cut, deflected, and avoided the stones that came flying in, and didnt look pressured. But after six minutes C A stone Callius put some serious divine power into, struck Diegos side! Thud! Kgh! He collapsed rapidly after that. Bang! Bang! Thud! Kgh! You bastards! Stop throwing! Throw some more. Then, a stray stone somehow managed to hit quite a sad place for the lieutenant. The red-faced lieutenant grabbed his crotch in pain. Ah! You motherfuckers! Who did it! He screamed loudly and indignantly. Callius followed up with a few more pebbles, hitting him in the forehead and the groin. Ugh! Fuck!! Who is it!! Callius calmly raised his hand. Its me. If you hate it that much, just avoid it. Enemies wont stop attacking because theyre considerate of your situation. Damn it! Perhaps he got aggravated at the blatant unfairness, because the lieutenant bit his lip and faced the stones again. But he was soon hit by a few more and had to come down from the centre stage. His body was covered with bruises. Although this training was limited to fifteen minutes per person C Hardly anybody lasted the full fifteen minutes. Callius had decided that the primary purpose of the members of the Sixth Squad was to train, and dodging the stones came as the secondary. They hadnt gotten used to it yet, but he thought it would work if they kept at it. Every drop of sweat they shed here would decrease the amount of blood theyd shed in the future. And, well, its pretty fun. And it was definitely helping, too. He could see with his own eyes how the movement of the squad members was becoming sharper and sharper as they suffered through the dodge training. They ran on the mountains from morning to noon. From lunch to the afternoon, the training was focused on dodging the stones and sparring. Considering how intense it was, they had no choice but to get better. On the battlefield, this stone can be an arrow, a spear, or a stray axe. Dont throw it lightly like youre hitting a friend, throw it harder. That way you wont die in battle. Yes!! The troops responded with a powerful shout, and although the lieutenant looked dissatisfied, he too didnt disobey the order. Although on the first day hed had no choice but to suspicious C Hed just done what hed been told to do, and endured in order to have a fighting chance later C But as one day passed and then two, his thoughts began to change. Lieutenant, here, drink. What the hell is this that we keep drinking? Tastes like But your body feels tingly if you drink it, right? I feel like my body is getting better and better, so there must be something good about it. It tastes sweet, so it must be good. Callius looked at the troops drinking the mysterious liquid with meaningful eyes. Gradually, quietly, their bodies were transforming. It works. The beverage was a potion that combined the dragons blood purified by Beatrice and the troll potion. Of course, itd been water diluted to the extent of counting parts per million, and it was still in the trial stage. There might be some side effects, but it shouldnt endanger their lives. Callius believed it should help regenerate overworked muscles and make them stronger. Because its extremely diluted There didnt seem to be any problems. It wont have any exaggerated short-term effect, but he was looking forward to the long-term results. Callius took a breather and walked over to the lieutenant whod finished applying medicine on his wounds. He was sharpening now his sword. Oh, Dingo, you managed to find a spirit sword from somewhere? What is its unique ability? Its Diego. And I have no obligation to tell them. And I dont really want to tell you, either. Callius immediately picked up a stone. Startled, Diego slowly drew his sword. This sword is my fathers carcass. I named it Viego, after him. Was he the fallen king of a long-lost kingdom?[1] What nonsense are you spouting? He was a great paladin. Father always said that swords have weight. Thats why this sword, Viego, too, can become lighter or heavier. The ability to change the weight of the sword. Depending on the swordsman, it could be used for both the quick sword and the heavy sword styles. What a great sword. In a way, it was similar to the Tyrant Sword. Of course, it was a step lower, but if one used it according to the circumstances, not many paladins would be able to block it. But why do you use it the way you do? You are leaving your sword to rot. Perhaps he was stung by how true the fact was, because Diego immediately glared back at Callius with bloodshot eyes. Whats glaring at me going to achieve? Your sword didnt even touch my toes. Havent you figured out the reality yet? No. Dingo, do you know why you are weak? Its Diego. I dont know. Because you rely on that sword too much. Unplug Viego for a while. If I think youve grown up, Ill let you use it again. What! Its an order, Lieutenant. Until then, use a normal iron sword, or a carcass supplied by the Church. Callius left the frozen Diego behind and looked around the yard of the mansion. Those who still needed physical training were running at a cantering pace. Bruns and the twins were part of it, too. Bruns. Yes, yeah. Boss! Prepare a meal, no need to hurry. Hey, are you telling me to do it? But Im already training so hard! A squad member reported yesterday, that he saw you in the neighbourhood with a woman. How come youre complaining about how hard things are? Dont you have enough time to chat women up? Ill prepare it right away. And keep your libido in check. Yes. On one side, Orphin and other members of the squad were quietly continuing their sparring. Callius nodded contentedly at the sight. Orphin was steadily twisting the direction of her sword and her swordsmanship. It still looked awkward and unnatural, but after doing it a few times, she seemed to have come to the conclusion that it was the right direction for her. Even if she wasnt told to, she was immersed in training and swinging her sword all day. She was still a bit confused about the technique side of things, but time would solve that. I hope Bruns can learn something. Hwiiish. A worm construct of the Worm Soul approached Callius. When it landed on the index finger he stretched out, he heard Orcals voice. C This is me. Orcal. Did you look into it? C Yes, it was as you said. The chief was surprised, and that person was surprised, too. Right. After a bit more of a back-and-forth, Callius said he understood and sent the worm away. Then he called in Rinney immediately. Contrasting results were obtained from the two of them who had attached Orcals worms. M-, me? You called me! Right? She sure was in high spirits. You have work to do. Do you remember what I told you last time? You want me to make friends? Thats right. But I havent entered the academy yet? Its fine. Its in the same town. In the same town? Seeing Rinney tilt her head, Callius lips curved up at the corners. A quiet afternoon. While Flora was at her house, reading a book, a boy suddenly pounded on the door, shrieking like whale. Boss, Boss! Come out! Its a big deal! All our kids got beaten!! What? Where! Come, quickly!! Quickly putting the book down, Flora rushed out of the house with the wooden sword her father had made for her. Criss-crossing through the alleys, she finally reached an exit that opened up into a vacant lot. But a storm had already swept everything away. All the boys with wooden swords had fallen down, and only one girl at the centre was standing to meet her. Is it her? Be careful, Boss. That kid just moved in today, shes no joke. Very strong! The subordinate who added that was already sporting a puffy black eye. Flora gulped. Black hair, which was rare in Karradi. And unusual grey eyes. She looked a little bit mean. Hi! I just moved here. They said youre the strongest around here? Contrary to how innocently she waved her hand as if in welcome, the girls eyes had a sharp glint as if shed caught her prey. I, am Rinney. You? Flora. No last name. Flora immediately clasped her wooden sword tightly with both hands. It was instinctive. Lets see your skills first. Ive been doing nothing but training these days, so Im feeling a little bored! Rinney, who grabbed a wooden sword lying at her feet, rushed in. Crack! Ugh! You endured it? Although the strike was only with a wooden sword, it was as heavy as an iron sword. Although they certainly looked the same age, the weight of the swords were different. Oh, you stopped this too? Great Yeah! Thud! Thud! Whish! The wooden sword turned in the air and struck at Floras guard with all the force behind its rotation. Claaang! Floras guard was broken by the single sword strike that came from the bottom up, and her wooden sword flew out. Her two arms, now missing her sword, spread out wide, and Rinneys round kick stably pierced through her broken guard. Thud! Kgh! Bang! Thud! Although she got kicking in the stomach, Flora rolled over on the floor once and almost bounced up. Wow! You really are strong! I might not be able to get back up like that. Youve got good stamina! I have a feeling. Usually, one wouldnt be able to get up right away. Definitely not any of the neighbourhood kids. Flora bit her lip and asked, enduring the pain. Where are you from? North. I come from a place where it snows. North! The snowfield guarded by the knights of Jervain? Are you from the North? Thats right. You know it too. The children who were watching the fight widened their eyes at the mention of the North. Who wouldnt know! Jervain of the North! Ruydren of the South! Gradas of the East! And Orvid of the West! Children who were born and raised in the land of swords couldnt help but know the famous anecdotes about the four great noble houses. Among them, of course, Jervain was the most famous. Flora forgot about the fight and asked Rinney with some kind of hope C Are you a Jervain? Thats right. Wow! A Jervain!! Wow! The Jervains have moved in!! The children forgot about being beaten and cheered. Jervains prestige was truly remarkable even among these youngsters. Come to think of it, Rinneys hair and eyes are black hair and grey! Really!? Soon a flood of questions followed. Did it really snow up to your head in the North? These were questions only the children could ask, such as whether the orcs really hunted them at night. After answering a few questions, Rinney turned to Flora, who was standing a little away by herself. You are the bobss here, Flora. Am I right? How did you know my name? Youre famous! The kids around here say they cant even touch you? Thats right. Seeing that Flora hadnt let down her guard yet, Rinney smiled faintly. Would you like to go with me somewhere? Suddenly? You and me? Arent you curious? Where would I want to take you? I wouldve been very curious in your place. She was indeed curious. A girl from Jervain suddenly appeared and knocked out all the children. Flora wondered how she could be so strong even though they looked the same age, but if she was a Jervain, Flora could understand. Rather than resenting the fact that a Jervain was so incredibly strong even at her age, she only unconsciously admired it. The name of Jervain, a family of renowned masters of the sword, carried a lot of weight. Im going to the academy. You know, the Royal Academy? A place where you can be knighted just by graduating. The Royal Academy! The Royal Academy was an institution for elites among elites, that granted knighthood just by completing its four-year curriculum. When Flora heard about going to such a place, she thought it was truly expected of a Jervain, and she was so envious that she almost burst into tears. But the count who recommended me, asked me if theres anyone I want to recommend, because theres a spot left. Hes really handsome and has great ability, so he knew Id be able to find one. The explanation was a bit strange, but Flora got the gist of what Rinney was trying to say. There was a vacancy in the recommendation letter. And someone had to be found to fill it in. The academy, do you want to go there? Gulp. Was this the kind of temptation that a twelve-year old could resist? Flora nodded her head involuntarily at the word academy. Can I really go with you? The corners of Rinneys lips curved up in a grin. Naturally. Editors Notes: [1] League of Legends reference. Chapter 89 Rinney was smiling brightly. And the child sitting next to her was so tense she was practically frozen. I looked at the stiff-looking girl and smiled softly. So its you. Yes? Flora. As Id heard from Peter, she was a cute and lovable kid. Brown hair tied in a ponytail. She had bright eyes and a cute young face, but she had a very hard core. She seemed to resemble her father. It was fun. In various ways. How do you know my name For somebody with the rank of a count, its not difficult to find out your name. Besides, I have an acquaintance with your father. R-, really? Yes. In fact, I wasnt being pletely truthful. Peter had never mentioned his daughters name. Despite being from the dark world, he was meticulous about what he had to protect. But I knew. About Peter, and his daughter, Flora. Of course I knew! Because these two were important nodes in the kingdom arc of the game. Because I was the one to set them up that way. Take it. What is this? An advanced skill art. Its a precious thing that even those training hard outside havent received yet. The skill book originally came from the ruins of a now-extinct aristocratic family, which I chanced upon during my days spent wandering. Id kept it inside the stigma and forgotten about it, but this time I took it out and rewrote it, pruning the unnecessary parts. There was no specific name. If I were to give it a name, I would call it C Seven Stars Bell (R). You can think of it as pouring seven stars into a goblet. It was quite advanced pared to its peers, so it could be said that it was a hard-to-find great art. Because some truths Id realized while learning the Six Peak Flowers technique had been merged into it. Why are you giving this to me? Investment. The difference between whether or not youve learned an advanced-level technique is the difference between heaven and earth. If you learn the cycle and manipulation of spiritual power from an early age, you will bee stronger easily. And the purer your divine power, the stronger your strength. Investment? Think of it as me investing in your talent. Its not a problem for someone of my station to get you an admission into the academy. All itd take was some money. My pockets were full, and if I could spend some gold to change the fate of a child who would one day be called the Sword Demon, it was a cheap price. Really!? Count is a higher title than you probably imagine. Its not that difficult if I remend you. Of course, after graduating from the academy, youll have to e under my control. It doesnt matter if you bee a knight or a paladin. If she could only bee mine, how much would that be worth? One of the reasons for Carpes collapse in the future would be internal division. The master of the sword Carpe revered, trying to destroy the kingdom with her own sword. With the support of the empire, she slaughtered Carpes paladins and knights, and blocked a Master at the end. She ended up giving up her life blocking that Master, but Carpe also faced its end along with her. The Sword Demon whod bee such a catastrophe desperately seeking revenge, was the little kid now sitting in front of me. Are you the highest in the Jervain family, Count? Not yet, but I soon will be. Id love to! Good. But I need to talk to Dad first. If I decide by myself Dad would be sad. Youre a really filial child. Youre right. Such an importation decision shouldnt be taken by a child alone ignoring her parents. But Ill tell you this. You deserve it. Really? Yeah. Rinney has confirmed your skills already. You may have lost to her now, but its not certain whod win by the time you both graduate from the academy. I inflamed her childish expectations and incited her incipient rivalry with Rinney. It wasnt particularly glorious to manipulate a little kid like this, but I had no choice. You have to save people you can save. Even if your father refuses Im not going to turn away my nieces friend. Feel free to e here to play anytime, and if you want, you can take part in the training, too. Really!? Then can I bring my friends too? As long as it doesnt interfere with the troops training. After watching Flora leave the office visibly excited, Rinney glanced at me with a worried face. Is this alright? Its fine. We need to go slow and take our time. Rinney, make sure you befriend that child. Itll help a lot in the future. I had to make sure that kid fell into my orbit. Who knew when or how my plan might collapse if we left her alone. I just dont understand why. Do I really need to? Shes just a civilian. Its necessary. I dont know whats in your mind, Sir Count. You werent actually impressed with that kid, right? You may be better than her now, but things might really be different in four years. Is that My eyes dont notice useless things. Just like you have far sight, I can see the potential of a person. Youll have to work hard if you dont want her to catch up. Is it Gods grace? Something like that. Gods grace, bullshit. I didnt have anything like that. It was just more convenient to agree because I didnt need to tack on additional explanations. It was better to let her misunderstand it. The moment I was about to leave C Rinney tilted her head and said, as if wondering. But Bruns is useless. Troubled by the sudden attack, I had to furrow my brows for a moment before finally answering. Shut up. Ive got a lot of work to do, so you can go. Rinney pouted her lips and quietly left the office. A little girl almost left me dumbstruck. Its all because of Bruns. And just to note, he was so useless even a little girl could see it. Whens Cedric ing? Im not going to carry this guy anymore. But instead of Cedric, somebody else arrived. A woman with dark purple hair. Beatrice. Its bee quite a bit noisier since I saw you last. There are children, too. Who are they? My nephew and niece. Oho, and here I thought you had children. I do have a child. Eh? Was it that surprising? Her sullen face was quite pleasing to the eyes. But, whats happened? I dont think the extraction process is over already? I wanted to see Vivi. Where is he? Beatrice often came to meet Vivi if she had a chance. As a follower of the Whip God, she seemed to like magical beasts. He should be sleeping right now. Hes doing that a lot these days. He spends most of the day sleeping. He was sleeping a lot and steadily growing up. Whenever he woke up, I felt like his body had grown a little, so in time he might grow to match his mother in size. You know, you always talk a lot when it es to Vivi. Its cute. Shut up. Huhu. More importantly, has there been any progress? Yes, its going smoothly. Here, I brought a sample with me. Well? Truly. The demonic energy was much fainter pared to the how the blood of the thunder wolf dragon had been originally. The blood used to be a deep dark shade of red, but now a lot of the turbid energy had disappeared. Another month or two should be sufficient to draw out the blood essence. It was just a matter of time. How are the horns looking? Great. You can make anything with them. Smelt them into gauntlets, or even armour. Or do you want to feed them to a carcass? It might work. Is that even possible? An alchemists pursuit isnt that different from a paladin. Creating various artifacts is ultimately a study to make a stronger sword. But its not sure to work? Beatrices lips rose up at the corners. Life is a gamble. Meaning she might fail. If she succeeded, my sword might be upgraded, but if she failed Raising the level of the sword is the same as raising the level of its soul. The extinction of the soul is the extinction of the sword Maybe itll shatter on the spot? The risk was huge. But it was also a very attractive proposal. I have to think about it. Its not something you can just do if you want to. Its still in the research phase. Its just a hypothesis right now, but I was wondering if itd be possible to upgrade the soul using dragon blood. If the sword wasnt made with a pure human soul, but also had the soul of a thunder wolf dragon mixed in it, the possibility might be higher. Youll need a sample for research, then. Yes, I wanted to get your permission while Im here. Two birds with one stone. How much do you plan to use? Im thinking of trying it out on a spare carcass Two or three at least. Two or three bottles of dragon blood essence, in exchange for a single bottle of research results? The expenses were quite high. But it was such an attractive proposition. I couldnt help but nod my head. If it were anyone else, I mightve told them to screw off, but Beatrice was the one suggesting it. Because it was her, not some random alchemist Id found on the streets. Is it okay? Even for her, dragon blood was not a material that could be found easily. She too wouldnt want to miss an opportunity like this. Just, one thing still bothers me. Why kill Viole? I couldnt be sure. I didnt know what her scheme was, but I couldnt refuse her. If it was something that could raise the level of a sword, it wasnt a waste of money by any metric. If the Blue Thunderbolt Sword can bee a vision sword, this much expense is nothing to speak of. Although it was now only a spirit sword, it was already powerful. If it became a vision sword, Id be able to guarantee my life even in front of a Master. What else do you need? A carcass. The higher the grade, the better. The more data, the better. Can you give me one? It wasnt a difficult request. Seeing me nod, Beatrice showed a bright smile. Beatrice. Im listening. There are conditions. What are they? Move your lab here. Here? In this noisy place? Ill give you the basement. Itd only need to be soundproofed. The front yard was indeed quite noisy, but the back yard didnt have that much noise. Are you suspicious of me? No, Im just trying to make you mine. After all, itd be convenient to have you nearby and check these guys data. Eh? Itd be annoying if someone else took her in. So I extended my offer of recruitment. Anyway, I had no choice but to build up my own force within the Carpe Kingdom. For that, I became an inquisitor-captain, and I was now even training these useless inquisitors. One way or another, in the near future C This kingdom is going to explode. Scenario Quest Civil War of the Carpe Dynasty Progress C 28% 28% progress for the outbreak of civil war. Each time Callius captured and killed the corrupt nobles, this number increased. Considering that itd been 20% before killing Artemion, the more you kill a noble of a high rank, the earlier the civil war will start. It was getting more and more imminent the more Callius rampaged. Because Im preparing too, bit by bit. But the threat right in front of him had to be given priority. Peter. Ah! Sir Count. Were you here? Peter was standing guard at the usual place. Callius smirked as he saw Peters loose and relaxed posture. Is it time for your lunch yet? Yeah, almost Count? I havent eaten either. Shall we have lunch together? Im feeling a bit peckish. Me too. Ill quickly go buy some lunch. Wait here just a minute! No, you dont have to. Yes? I came to see you today. Lets go. I have a reservation at a restaurant. To see me? Sir Count? Why? Cant I? Oh, no, I didnt mean that. After a while. Peter and Callius arrived at a restaurant frequented by the nobility. Looks expensive. Even after going inside, Peter was looking very unfortable, as if he thought he was sticking out in such a luxurious environment. After choosing their food from the menu C Callius went straight to the point. Hey, your daughter is a cute kid. Eh? Peter, whod been staring at the menu for a long time, couldnt hide his puzzlement. Flora, wasnt it? Like you said, she really has a passion for swordsmanship, and shes smart to boot. She seems to have talent, too. Just like you said. How, my daughters name Im in charge of some children of my family, and they brought her to meet me after they became friends while playing. As we talked, I found out that she was your daughter. The foolish impression Peter had been showing so far calmly subsided. Only his expression changed a little, but the atmosphere was pletely different. Callius continued to speak, despite the subtly creepy feeling. I told her to e and play often, so dont worry. Shes a bud that will one day bloom into a great knight. Is that so? Even though Callius was praising his daughter, the vigilance in Peters eyes didnt go away. Rather, the more Callius praised her, the steelier his gaze became. Thats right. Im thinking of setting up a space for her in a corner of the house where she can train to her hearts content. And, well, the inquisitors are training right next door. She could learn a lot just by watching. You dont have to Its a shame that the Royal Academy isnt open to the public. Carpe hasnt e to its senses yet. It is the children, not the adults, who are the future of this country. Giving support to them is the cornerstone of the kingdoms revival What do you think? You spoke powerfully, Sir Count. Peter seemed to be thinking very deeply. Callius lowered his gaze, away from the struggling form of Peter, and raised his knife and fork to cut the lamb steak. It melted in his mouth after one bite. The food was expensive. But usually, although not every time, thats because the taste is worth the money invested. Callius thought the same as he looked at Peter in front of him. How are you going to react? Peter was just like this food in front of him. If Callius paid the right price, would he be repaid with a mensurately great taste? Would Peter maybe try to stab him, or grab him Callius didnt know. So C Are you tired of it yet? Assassination, I mean. At that moment, Peters hand holding the knife trembled. Chapter 90 What do you mean? Your hands. There are calluses on both your palms at certain places, very symmetrical. Its quite rare to see these, unless you wield dual swords. Besides, the calluses on your little finger are thicker than the calluses between your thumb and forefinger. It means youre used to holding the sword in reverse. What did that mean? It meant he mostly used short swords rather than long ones. Since he dual wielded on top of that, he almost definitely used daggers. Dual wielding daggers C It was rare to find people like that in the land of the sword. It was a style mainly used by assassins, rather than knights. You have good eyesight. But calling me an assassin based on that alone is too presumptuous. Do you think so? Yes. Well, youre right. Its just a guess. I was just joking, but this conversation suddenly got too serious. Unlike Callius, who smiled wildly, Peters face had gradually turned pale. Peter. Yes. I dont like the Church. Eh? But youre an inquisitor How could one belonging to the Church dislike it? I mean it. Although Carpe is where I was born and raised, I dont like the Church much. But, ironically, although I hate the Order, I do love the sword. What exactly do you Peter was confused as to what Callius wanted to say. Peter. Yes. Right now, Carpe is rotten. The country is not functioning properly. Hungry people are everywhere, and the land is rife with meaningless deaths. I want to use my sword for something meaningful. I will change the Carpe Kingdom, and the Church of Valtherus. But Im still weak. There are limits to what one can do with their own power. But its different if you can build up a force. Are you going to create a force under your? Im in the process of doing it, little by little. Not only Flora, there are many children I will be sponsoring in the future. They will grow up and become knights under my command. Everyone will work for Carpe. So what Youre still stubborn, I see. Callius sighed, and gave Peter a deep look. I will destroy the empire. Gulp. Peter unconsciously swallowed his saliva. The empire, you I can do it. But to do that, I must first cut off the rotten roots of this kingdom. Why are you telling all this to a simple soldier like me? Dont you already know? Callius wiped his lips with a napkin, and stood up with a faint smile. Do think about it, will you? And if you find that you cant decide, come visit me. He already knew everything. Peter walked along the roadside in a dark mood. The same way home from work that hed been walking for several years was feeling strangely alien. Were these flowers always here? A new store was opened, and new faces could be seen. But all of that had nothing to do with himself. Irrelevant and unimportant. Eyes that had lost their colour roamed the streets. Dad! Colour flooded back into the pupils at the call. It was Flora. Dad? Whatre you doing here? Lets go home! Yeah. The little mouth chirping like a lark spoke about her friends, about swords and knights. Peter quietly listened to his daughters story. When they got home, they prepared a meal together, ate and washed together. Finally it was late at night, and it was time for the child to go to sleep. Good night, Dad~ yawn. Sleep. He caressed his sleeping daughters head and pulled up the blanket to cover her. As he closed the door, the corners of his mouth that had been raised in a smile, came down and straigtened. The eyes lose their colour again. Rattle. Peter took out the box that had been placed in the groove dug behind the picture frame that hung on the wall of the living room. Click. When he opened the box, two curved daggers could be seen inside. The handles were quite worn. The eyes found their light again. But they werent the eyes of a father anymore, instead they were the eyes of a killer[1]. Creeeeeeak. Step, step. As he came out to the backyard, he was greeted by a group of masked people dressed entirely in black as if they had been waiting for him. It was already agreed upon. If he only turned around, he could go back to his home, and his child. But Peter kept his mouth shut and did not turn around. He clenched his teeth so hard his jaws throbbed and creaked. For some reason, the daggers in his hands were trembling a little. Are we going? The trembling stopped. No words were needed. He only nodded his head in a short, simple movement. Step. The sight shifted in an instant. Buildings and forests were fast passing by. A villa nestled in the mountains, came into view. The iron gate was firmly locked, but that was no problem for these night time visitors. Thud. They simply jumped over it and entered the mansion. There was no sound. The location had already been secured. And as they entered the targets room C Startle. The target was perched on a bed with the sword resting on his shoulder. This villa. I like it quite a bit. So lets take this outside. The target spoke to them with closed eyes. Seeing Callius appearance, the two intruders quickly pulled out their swords and swung. Two swords that stabbed from both sides. Haah. However, Callius merely sighed once. With a single pull his sword sprung free from the scabbard, and the twos attacks were neutralized. Claaaaaaang, claaaaangC! Kgh! Ugh! Despite only their swords being struck, but the attackers trembled as if they had been beaten all over, and collapsed. Their bodies seemed paralyzed. Lets go, then. Swish. Watching Callius jump out of the window, the hunters began chasing after him. How far did he run like that? Callius stopped in an empty area on the side of an unknown mountain, his breath white like steam under the moonlight. The moon looks nice tonight. Its quiet, too. He pushed his sheathed sword into the air, somehow making it vanish, and pulled out a new sword from thin air. It was a sword without a scabbard. It was a well-balanced broadsword, large and sturdy. Callius the target, and the hunters who chased him C There were no words between the two. At the moment he completely pulled out his sword, the three enemies were already rushing at him. However, the result was the same this time. The killers whod rushed in were torn apart, one limb at a time. And all of them were decapitated. Slash! Callius, throwing off the blood from his sword with a sharp swing, looked around him with cold eyes. Eyes that held no emotion whatsoever. As if he was just quietly doing what he had to do. Interesting. The enemies, whose job was to kill people, had eyes that resembled his own. While he was thinking about that, he quickly became the only living being left on the field. As if there was an invisible barrier protecting him, all the killers died without even touching a a single hair of his. Same as the first time, he slaughtered the slaughterers without moving even a single step. Blood was oozing out from the corpses on the ground. Crack! The sound of thunder broke the spell of silence covering the sky. Clouds swept in to cover the moon. What little light had been there to see by was gone, plunging the world into absolute darkness. That was the signal. SssssshC Mist rose from the twin daggers of the last of the killers. Dense fog that covered both the target and the attacker. Sttttttep! Clang! Screeeech! ClaaaangC! Amidst the thick fog, only the sparks of the colliding blades could be seen flashing. Stab, block, and cut. A fierce battle of attacks and counterattacks in the dark. Whiiiiish. Throw a dagger up into the air, attack with the other, then jump up with a somersaults and kick the dagger down, fast as lightning. Whiish, claaang! Although Callius managed to block even that, the enemy immediately snatched the dagger from the air and continued his assault, his movements exquisitely connected to each other like flowing water. Two daggers gripped in reverse in mid-air came swinging down at once. CraaaaaaackCclaaaaang!! The fog rolled up, again. It was on a different level than last time. Callius took a step back and frowned. You cheeky WhoooshC! The fog suddenly subsided, and the attacker froze in place. A sense of pressure descended upon the area. The killers legs were shaking, his body as if stuck in tar. But he still moved, and his movements flowed as naturally as ever. He pulled out the dagger piercing the ground and struck again. Claaang! Craack! Whoosh!! Ssssk. Kgh. It had still been manageable before Callius drew out the power of his sword, but there was simply no hope after he did. The strange pressure that spread all over the area restricted movements, and the more scratches piled up on his body, the more it became heavier, like cotton soaked in water. Even if he fell down groaning again and again, he got up and rushed in again. But every time he did so, it felt like he was wading into water. The fog created by the twin daggers had long since dissipated. Claaaaang, keeeeeen! Thud! Ugh!! The second time. The third time. He got up again and again. But the more time passed, the heavier his body became. Nevertheless, the slaughter continued. Claaaaaang, claaaaaang!! Crack, craaaaaaaaaaaaack! Step, step, step. The dark clouds covered the moon, and rain came pouring down, accompanied by thunder and lightning. The raindrops that shot down from the heavens as if the sky had been riddled with holes, made the heavy body feel even heavier. Peter. Do you want to live? I have no intention of begging for my life. The last killer barely dragged himself up, pushing off his daggers on the wet ground. His legs trembled, and his arms that raised the daggers again were the same. Nevertheless, he grinned and rushed at Callius, as if for the last time. Claaang, thud! ThudC! The killer, who got kicked into the ground, fell down again. Callius, who thought this was the end of his stubbornness, wrinkled his eyebrows at the form rising up again through the curtain of rain. Give up. For me, giving up is the same as death. If you want to stop me, kill me!! What will Flora do then? Flinch. The gaze of a father looked out of the eyes of the killer, but only for an instant. This is how Ive lived my whole life. I always killed my target at any cost when I was ordered to. Thats why, I have to live like this for the rest of my life. That is the only courtesy and atonement I can offer to them. Callius, who listened to the story quietly, clicked his tongue. If they tell you to kill Flora, will you kill Flora with your own hands? If you cant even kill your child, what kind of a killers lifestyle are you boasting about? I humbly request. Please kill me C or die. Booooom! In the pouring rain, the sound of thunder the only accompaniment of his performance, the killers form began to distort and disappear. If you die, I cant save Flora. I will kill her with my own two hands. If I kill you her and now, that childs sword will point towards me one day. There are no perfect secrets in the world. One day, that girls sword will become the sharpest in the world and block my way. So Ill have to kill her first before that can happen. A sword you cant control is better off destroyed. Ill ask again. Do you want to live? Puff!! Ugh! Another kick, and a body fell and and rolled on the ground. Annoyance slowly began to bloom on Callius face. He never thought itd be easy, but he didnt expect it to be this tricky. Tell me you want to live! For your daughter! If you want to live, for your daughters future, bow your head down!! If you do, I will save you! The killers eyes trembled for a moment. But they soon stopped. He looked up at Callius with hardened eyes. Theres no guarantee that my sword will never point at you again. Something thats happened once why cant it happen twice? Kill her. Shes a smart kid. But she was only born for the sake of camouflage. If she dies here, thats just how it was written in the stars. I remember the way you proudly told me about your daughter. There were no lies in it. It was all a lie. Thats just how a killer hides himself. Callius drew out a new sword. Even beneath this dark and damp sky, the swords graceful blade gleamed. Judgment Sword C Medea. Is that true? Its true. However, giving the killers words the lie, the colour of the sword changed. Seeing the blackened sword, Peter growled as if enraged. Kill me!! Shut up. Kill me! Just kill me!! Is it because Flora will die if you dont? The killers body trembled. Is that how your superiors do things? Killer must die. And everybody they love are hostages to ensure that. You, just live here from now on. I cant do that. Do you think Im trying to convince you? No, this is an order. But The killer lowered his head. If he could simply cut off his past, he wouldnt have done this in the first place. The sins of his past pressed heavy on his shoulders. And if he tried, hed endanger not just himself, but also everybody around him. So he couldnt. I need to have what my intuition tell me I should. If someone else wants to touch something of mine C I will cut those hands off. Why are you doing this? The killer lifted his eyes and looked up at Callius. I tried to kill you. Who cares? Half of Carpe will soon try to kill me. Just add those imperial bastards on top of that. I have no shortage of enemies. It wont change anything if a few get added to the roster. Thud!! Uhm, why are you hitting me? How dare a father treat his daughters life so lightly? Flora sure is pitiful. Id rather have her as my foster daughter. Are you going to live? Can can I? Dont pass the responsibility to somebody else. If you want to live, you should. It has to be by your own will. Moreover, you C You have a clear reason to live. Because a child needs a father. Chapter 91 Huff! Hed lived. Peter shuddered with shame at how relieved he was. Why Did the assassination target save the killer who tried to murder him? Dad! Flora? Why are you here? Before the question could even finish forming C Flora arrived. The count called me! He said you suddenly fell sick and now youre resting here. Are you okay, Daddy? What were you doing that you got hurt like this? So he was still at the counts mansion. Seeing that his injuries had been treated, it seemed that Peter had been saved. His throbbing wounds reminded him of his last memory, that haunting scene of struggling in the mud under the rain. Flora, thats Is it because of me? Huh? Did you get hurt trying to make money because of me? Sorry, Daddy. Ill be the one to earn money from now on! I hate thinking about you getting hurt trying to make money. Peter smiled, wondering what to say, and stroked Floras head. Flora. Wheres the count? Im right here. Flora, go out for a while. I have something to talk to him about in private. Ugh, okay! Are you hungry? Ill go make some food for you! Pit-a-pat. As soon as her footsteps went out of hearing range, Peter got up and knelt on the floor, bowing his head. Thank you for saving me. You mustve changed your mind? You were so adamant about dying yesterday. Because I thought there was no way left for me to survive. And what are your thoughts now? I want to make one. How? I think there must be a reason why youve kept me alive, Count. Like you said before, youre trying to save Carpe and destroy the empire. I remember. And? Im sure youre wondering who was the one to send the assassins after you. Are you going to tell me? I have to kill them anyway, or die at your hands, Count. Callius assassination was unsuccessful. Peter didnt even want to do it anymore. Even if he managed to kill Callius, his life as a killer wouldnt end. I will tell you. Therefore C Give me a chance. Looking at Peter with his head bowed down C Callius tilted his head. Why did you change your mind? I know I am scum. Ive been living the life of an ingrate. But Flora my daughter, I wish she wouldnt follow in my footsteps. I want her to live with dignity. That kids different from me. She probably resembles her mother more. And so C Please help me. In the office within the villa C I sat on the chair and pondered. Can I believe him? I couldnt find any trace of deception in Peters appearance. But if he played me false, I did indeed plan to kill Flora, whether she was fated to become a master swordsman or not. Flora was a sword I didnt dare carelessly wield, as shed burn with vengeance if her father died. I couldnt stop at killing one of them. If I had to, I had to kill both. Orcal. Yes. Did you call? Keep a watch on Peter. What if he betrays you? Then it cant be helped. But Id be surprised. Keep a tight watch and help him out if theres any danger. If my prediction was correct, there was a high probability that Peter would visit the people whod instigated the assassination right away. It was safe to say that hed put in enough effort at what he was supposed to do. Its a difficult world to live in. Yes? Nothing. You can go. Yes, alright then. After Orcal closed the door and left, I buried my back in the backrest. Truly, nothing in the world was ever easy. Killing Peter would be easy, wouldnt it? Youd think itd be simple. But that wasnt the case. And hell, I didnt even want to. When I got up from my seat and opened the window, I could see the troops training under the warm morning sun, and the children watching from the side. The kids were sometimes chasing after them with their wooden swords, and they were also playing with each other, throwing stones. The figure of Flora smiling while she trained. The image of Peter looking at it. All that I took in at a glance. The sight of two of them made me feel complicated for no reason. Has the fate of those two changed? I didnt know. Originally, Peter was just supposed to be a fuse for Flora. That was how their roles had initially been set up and assigned. But now I was trying to save him. It was a complicated feeling. What are you doing? What is it? I came to see how the lieutenants doing. It was Genos, the chief of the Inquisition. To surprise me, hed even taken his shoes off and silently crept into the office. If thats what youre going to waste Anivo on, Id rather you just taught it to me. He was incomprehensible as always. Theres been a lot of chatter about you. What do you mean? That youve been trying to get some people admitted into the Royal Academy. Genos pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket, a recommendation letter for admission to the academy. It was obviously something I wrote recently. Why are you so interested? So what if I wrote some recommendation letters to the academy? If its your daughter or some branch children, I can understand, but why did you recommend that child who has no connection with you whatsoever? I just wanted to. I just did it because I could. Because Floras talent was a sure thing. Now, it was covered under the brilliance of Rivan and Rinney, whod been on the elite track since childhood, but with a little refinement, her talent would see her rapidly rise. Quite a few old foxes are asking if its okay to recommend a commoner. The Church seems to be very interested in the academy. No, Im the only one interested. It looks fun, doesnt it? Didnt you used to hate me? I dont like you, no. But now you seem to be trying to help me, right? Right, thats perfectly right. I crossed my arms. Whats the reason? Genos also crossed his arms and looked at me. Because youre my subordinate. Even if it werent for that, I never liked the fact that only aristocrats get to attend the Royal Academy, play around for a while and win a knighthood. I wish I could rip that honour off them. He was a member of the Church. However, Genos was also from the four great noble families. Gradas of the East. If they put their minds to it and bit their teeth into an issue, even the royals couldnt ignore them. I didnt know you were interested in the academy. Was Genos originally like this? I thought he wasnt particularly interested in the common world. Among these kids, there are some pretty talented ones. Ill support you too. Ill also tell my acquaintances who agree with me. I know quite a few of the academy instructors. Oh, Esther also decided to teach for a while, as a temporary instructor. I see. Was even Esther an academy instructor now? Jackpot. How about you? You can also be an instructor. Its not something I can do just by wanting to, and I dont particularly want to, either. Isnt your daughter going to go to the academy this year? Thats why I hate the notion even more. Why? Well I see. Do you want to teach her separately? Got it. I had nothing to say, so I left it alone. You love your daughter so much, huh. He smiled and nodded his head as if hed been convinced. It sounds fun. What do you mean? The academy instructor post. I got interested. Oh, I see. There are a lot of the aspirant knights and paladins whore secretly commoners. What if we gathered them and made a separate class for common folk? Itd be a boon for Carpe. Its not a bad idea. So you do it. I dont like While I wanted to refuse C Sub Quest Academy Swordsmanship Instructor {Reward}: Goblin Gold Coin A quest notification popped up. Goblin gold coin. A special gold coin minted in ancient times that could be used to trade with the goblins. That was what a goblin gold coin was. Goblins were a demihuman species that had prospered in ancient times, but were almost extinct now. They were dexterous and skilled at thievery, so their possessions were bounds to be extraordinary beyond even the usual norm. They might have ancient, long-lost relics. It was a quest I couldnt refuse. You dont like it? Well, if its just teaching for a little while. You like children, too. I have conditions. Conditions? Just lay it on me. But let me be perfectly clear here, if you want me to tell you about the Anivo, I decline. No, not that. Just Callius licked his lips, and Genos widened his eyes in amazement at what he hard, and then finally nodded. Surprising, but got it. Its not that difficult. Then Ill be off. Youre really going to flip the board over this time. Saying that, Genos disappeared. Just like when he came, without the faintest whisper. With him gone, I put on my armour and cloak, and prepared to go out. All preparations are complete, Boss. Then lets go. A horse that Bruns had prepared was waiting. Of course, it wore the Saddle of Humasys. Hes a good one. Of course! I worked hard to pick one that suits you the most! Lets go. Purr! Uh, where are you going? What, you cant be going out to play around while we train, right? Shut up. Wherere you going, Count? Are you really going out to play? When he appeared on horseback, the children and troops quickly gathered around him. Seeing him frown at the frivolous questions, the troops ran away, leaving only the children behind. In response to Rinney and Floras questions, Callius looked at Peter lying in the distance and answered. To catch some bad guys. He then called the fleeing troops back. You guys, follow me. Yes? Where are we going? Like I said, were going to catch the bad guys. Puff!! Theyve definitely gotten better. Observing the soldiers fighting from horseback, Callius could clearly see their recent improvements. Hed repeatedly trained and abused their leg muscles, made them drink a special fluid, and even trained them at dodging stones to improve their agility and reflexes. They were still lacking, but they definitely looked better than before. Its a mix of troll and dragon blood, so I could call it TD potion. That wasnt a bad name, right? Although the ingredient was almost non-existent after about a hundred stages of dilution. But as long as there was a certain level of long-term effect, itd become a feasible product after a little more refinement. Why are we attacking the viscount? I dont think you even notified people in advance to get permission, is this okay? None of the nobles who need their heads chopped off can be reported in advance. Taking pre-emptive action was the right course. No matter how cleverly they hid the skeletons in their closets, the Judgment Blade could make everyone shut their mouths. Callius was no saint whod stay still when he knew his enemies were sharpening their blades to deal with him. Other people in his place mightve gotten assassinated without anybody else knowing, by now, but Callius was different. If somebody sent assassins after him, he was capable enough to catch and interrogate them, and find out the mastermind. Rather, this was a situation he hoped for. Wouldnt it be the fastest way to kill all the spies? Im not guilty of anything!! Count Jervain! How dare you do this to a peer noble! Her Majesty the Queen will be furious! That is of course your opinion, Viscount Arpen. But I wonder, would Her Majesty truly be moved by the death of somebody like you? A little viscount who didnt know his place. The only notable facet of him was his outsized avarice. Viscount Arpen. Why did you order me assassinated? Id rather you come challenge me in a fair duel. Why are you so insecure? Youre talking nonsense!! I never did! Who said that! Viscount Allen? Or Count Valentine!? Viscount Arpen was indeed not the core mastermind. Callius was indeed spouting bullshit. Hed provoked him deliberately. If you accuse people of things they havent done, they tend to feel resentful and stirred up. And that often leads to slips of the tongue, revealing the hidden truth. You exploded all on your own, huh? Did you hear that, Bruns? Write it all down. Yep! But I dont have any paper with me, though? Just remember it. Yep! At this exchange between Callius and Bruns, the viscount gaped as if it was absurd, and then his face flushed red; he began shouting. Are you kidding me?! Dont be too embarrassed. All of your friends will follow you soon. These traitors to Carpe couldnt be left alive. That was then. The viscount let out a roar while pushing his horse to charge. The one who brings me Jervains head! I will hand over the heirloom passed down to the family! I will appoint you as the guardian knight of Arpen!! Did Arpen have any heirlooms? It was the first time Callius heard that. Wooohooooo! The morale of the viscounts knights went up. Callius pondered for a while and then gave an appropriate response. Whoever takes Arpens head, Ill give him Arpens heirloom. This damn bastard!! Kill them. Whinnnny~ You bastards!! Ugh! Insects covered all sides and chewed on the bodies of the enemy knights. But Orcals form couldnt be seen anywhere. Taking advantage of the gap, the sixth squad charged wildly. Arpens head is mine! Wheres the heirloom of Arpen!! Claaaang C claaang! Stop playing around, you go too. Arent you going, Captain? Beggars should play with beggars. Tch! Huup! As the squad lieutenant, Diego, also rushed in, sounds of swords kept ringing all over the battlefield. Due to the sudden surprise attack of the sixth squad, Viscount Arpen was instantly defeated, and rumours that the viscounts head was taken spread all over the place. However, the prestige of the one called the Judge, was only at the beginning of its rise. Chapter 92 Your Majesty. The person who called out to the queen had gray hair that signified the weakness of age, but his strong aura and magnificent body gave that the lie. Knight among knights. One of the Five Masters of Carpe. Gerald of Judgment, who was a legendary paladin and also the lord of Tristar. It was Gerald Gustav. Have you heard the rumours going around these days? Hm? Which rumours are you talking about? The queens white hair, tied in a braid, swayed. Clara tilted her head. There are rumours about Jervain. If its about Jervain, Ive indeed heard. Hes the inquisitor-captain whos been going around beheading nobles. Hes even a count on top of that, and dont they also call him the Judge? Gerald and him shared the same nickname, was what she meant. But the man continued to report with his head bowed without taking the bait. Yes, thats him. There are a lot of angry complaints in the circles of nobility these days because of that. Because this guy was running around wildly, fast as a thunderbolt, and kept cutting off nobles heads. But as far as I know, theres proof that all his victims so far have violated the countrys laws for their own gain? Theyve been the ones gnawing at Carpes flesh for so long. It was because of the Judgment Sword that the Judge could run amok like this. Although his behaviour was obviously radical, he was at least faithful to the kingdoms cause. Yes, thats true enough. From our point of view, hes achieving results without us having to dirty our hands. It was unclear whether this was intentional or not, but Callius actions were helping the royalist faction. Because he kept killing off corrupt nobles and weakening the power of the noble faction, the royalist faction had managed to regain some of its former power. Therefore, they shouldve tried to protect the man from the pressure of the noble faction. However His rampage was much too fierce. You mean, hes gotten a bit too into it. Yes. Although its reasonable to lance a boil and squeeze out the pus, but doing too much of that all at once carries its own risk. If you dont treat the wound and make sure it recovers, itll just get even worse. You mean hes in too much of a hurry. It was good, what Callius was doing. He was lancing the abscesses that plagued the kingdom. However, there was also a need to drain the pus and process the wound C meaning, the state of confusion that arrived with a hole in the lands feudal hierarchy. A territory that lost its lord cant run smoothly until a new lord is appointed. However, the current Count Jervain didnt even consider such follow-up procedures, and he was only addicted to cutting off the lords heads every day. He didnt even leave people any time to fix the issues. He really needed to slow down a bit. Alright. Then should I call him over and scold him one time? The queen scolding him Would that lawless bastard really take the weak and delicate queens scolding to heart? Gerald couldnt help but worry. Although hes being very radical, theres nothing wrong with his actions, so it should be enough to encourage him and tell him to be more circumspect. Oho, then please call him. I also want to see his face. Carpes foremost idiot became a count, and is now called the Judge? Talk about exciting. Gerald also agreed. Hed thought that the eldest son of Jervains direct line was nothing but a young animal, but somehow that animal came back as a human C or even more than that. What the hell is that guy Elburton thinking Hed received reports on the happenings in the North, but most of it was hard to believe. The news about Callius, even more so! The fact that a guy who couldnt even hold a sword properly in the past could now freely spread his sanctuary with the Storm Sword of the North C that was completely unsettling. It wasnt easy for even Masters to achieve that level with sanctuary. Sir Gerald? My apologies. I got lost in thought for a moment. In any case, Im concerned that he might be disrespectful towards you, Your Majesty. So what if hes a bit rude? This old man is just a little worried about whether hell have impure intentions towards you, Your Majesty. You know, his history with That was then C The urgent footsteps of the knight approaching the audience room could be heard. And with that came a ferocious aura that spread in the distance. Gerald jumped up. At the same time C Y-, Your Majesty! Whats going on? The prince has gone crazy again!! At that moment, the roar of a wild beast resounded throughout the royal castle. Queen Clara, whose complexion turned white in an instant, got up quickly. Id like to go first, Your Majesty. Go. Ill follow soon. The way to calm down the prince in the throes of madness was to give him an endless battle. The queen felt exhausted. The royal bloodline, she couldnt kill him nor had the ability to save him If only you never drew that sword. But what was the use of regretting the past? For now, putting the prince to sleep was the priority Gerald grabbed the sword from his waist and began running. Its big and beautiful. A sword that stretched long and wide, seemingly made to defend ones entire body. This must be the family heirloom that Viscount Arpen had spoken of. Is this it? Yes, this is said to be the heirloom of the Arpen family. Galaximund Grade C Spirit Sword Infused Soul C Galaximund de Arpen Unique Ability C Hardening Right. All of a sudden C Infusing it with a little divine power, the forearm holding the sword began being covered with a hardened plating. When Callius tapped it, it was hard enough that it wouldnt get scratched even when cut with a carcass. At full power, it would be hard enough to even block a spirit sword, and depending on how it was used, not only the forearm but even the whole body could be covered. There were limits, but it was definitely a sword worth my appreciation. It wasnt a heirloom for nothing. With such hardness, swordsmanship that prioritized cutting the enemys bones in exchange for your own flesh could be used. While pretending to give up defending your vital area, block the enemys strike by hardening it, and behead the enemy while he was panicking. Depending on how you used it, it was a sword that could leapfrog and kill stronger opponents. Its a good sword. But there was a fatal problem. The sword was too big and too heavy. The length was close to two meters and the width could rival a shield. The weight was also correspondingly heavy, and some knights couldnt even lift it properly. And with its length, you couldnt wield it freely unless you were tall enough. Callius, who valued ??speed and surprise, couldnt use this sword as a mainstay. I can see why it was left to gather dust. Perhaps this sword could be used once he buffed his stats with Verse of Grace, but there was no need to do that. There were many other good swords in his hands, so there was no need to overdo it. Anyone wants it? All the guys in the 6th division shook their heads simultaneously. It looks so difficult to carry, how would we even use it? The captain is holding it in one hand though. And I want to ask, how is he doing that? No one came forward. To use this sword, it seemed that at least a tall, massive knight would be required. Callius could do nothing but put Galaxymund into subspace, and looked around. How many dead, and wounded? Twenty wounded, no dead. How are the wounds? Excluding four serious injuries, there are sixteen minor injuries. I see. Most of the crew whod trained at the mansion suffered at most minor injuries. The remaining ones, especially those with serious wounds, were those who never participated in the training. At Callius intent stare, the people around him awkwardly averted their gazes. They, too, had noticed how things had turned out. The knights of the Viscount Arpen were not without skills, so itd taken quite a while. Callius said, looking at the majority of the wounded men. I wont force you. However, I will continue to fight frequently in the future. Think carefully about the difference between you and these guys. That was it. As he said, he had no intention of forcing training upon anyone. Even if he left them alone, theyd band together on their own, in time. Where are we going next? Originally, we were going to head south to the lands of Count Valentine. However, Callius had no choice but to rein himself in after seeing the bug moving on his finger. It was good that Orcals third squad took the lead and did some reconnaissance. After dealing with the viscount this time, he was planning to go south and attack the count himself. It was cumbersome to deal with the low-level nobles, barons and such, one by one. The plan this time was to destroy them all at once before they could react. But after hearing the report, it didnt seem like he could go south and rampage. C They say that the eldest son of the Ruydren family visited Count Valentine. The eldest son, was Lutheons older brother. Commander of the Golden Lion knights of the South. Ruen von Ruydren. Among the innumerable knights of the kingdom C He, was considered one of the Five Stars (), the ones closest to becoming a Master. Canter, canter went the sound, echoing through the plains. It was Esther, the pilgrim, for once not dressed in the pure white cloak that signified Valtherus, who drove her horse across the plains at a speed that was neither slow nor fast. She was carrying out a quest to clear out the bandits whod appeared not far from Karradi. It was a relatively simple task for her, so she was relatively relaxed. She couldnt journey far because she didnt know when Sullivian could fall critically ill, and thats why shed accepted such a mission. With her sincere personality, it was difficult for her to sit still, so she wanted to help people and the Church by doing something like this. Kill the beasts you see along the way. Kill the bandits too. Help those who seek your help. As a practitioner of the sword, it was a bit disappointing not to be able to meet a strong enemy, but it was rewarding to think that even such a small task would be helpful to someone. So, this time C She didnt wear the pure white cloak and clothes that originally symbolized the pilgrims. A faded cloak and old clothes. All to attract bandits. Really, who did this? Following the rumours, she went to the place where the bandits had been active, but couldnt find a single living one. Only corpses. Esther walked along the path that seemed to lead to the den of the bandits, observing the fresh corpses and their wounds along the way. Soon she saw a fence, and a row of huts one after another. There, of course, the corpses formed a mountain. Someone had swept through the bandits. Esther slowly drew her sword. In front of the bandits corpses, there were three people who looked like knights, but they were all wearing hoods, so she couldnt see their faces properly. There was no guarantee that they were not enemies, even if theyd killed off the bandits, so she aimed her sword. Who However, before she could even finish the sentence C Esther was attacked. The shortest one ran like lightning and stabbed at her. Although his body was small, the attack was fierce. But who was Esther? Was she not the greatest genius of the Order, called the strongest pilgrim? It wasnt difficult for her to block the attack, and at the same time, she tried to pin down the sword by moving her wrist like a shackle. Oh?! As if startled, the hooded man immediately dropped his sword and kicked the hilt. Oh? Jumping away with a backflip, he caught the sword from mid-air. The move was clean like flowing water. Just as Esther was about to say something else C Haah! The giant among the three, also hooded, slashed at her with his greatsword. Crack! The earth broke and clods of dirt scattered. Esther took a step back, then backed away further as the third hooded man struck. The link between the three was smooth, and the swordsmanship spoke of experience in actual combat. Their swords were more lively than the characteristic swordsmanship of aristocrats, and the purpose of each strike was to kill the enemy in one blow. Esther was considering their impressions. And by checking their swordsmanship and habits, she found out their identities without much difficulty. Northern. It was the swordsmanship of the North that was this fierce. A swordsmanship made for practical battles, putting aside all the pretentiousness and hypocrisy. A sword for killing beasts, and for annihilating the barbarians of the North. Esther liked the northern swordsmanship. It was only natural C as a swordsman, this was normal compared to liking the swordsmanship of aristocrats who only cared about showing off. I dont think theyre just run-of-the-mill knights. Especially the one who first attacked him, was probably a child. He was short in stature, and the parts of his body and the small hands that could be seen through the coat belonged to a child. For his age, the swordsmanship was great, and it had its own characteristics. Maybe he was from Jervains bloodline? Because the other two were fighting like they were escorting that child. Esther calmly took in the three swordsmen in front of her and widened the distance. The probes were over. Damn. Shes a great expert. Be careful. The hoods were removed, revealing the appearances of each one. The giant looked just like a bandit, and the man of medium stature was a pale blond young man. He had lost one eye, and was wearing an eye patch. And the last one C Who are you? Looking at your movements, you arent just some bandit. The voice was that of a young girl. Black short hair peeking out of a pulled back hood. A girl with gray eyes, was glaring at her. Really, Jervains bloodline. Lady, be careful. Shes not normal. I know. As if waiting for an answer, the Jervain girl stood silently. When Esther realized that she was from the North, and from the Jervain family, she began to withdraw her own sword, but stopped. The sword the girl was holding C Not only she was strangely familiar with it, but it was the sword she had handed over to Callius as a token of defeat and respect. Lucen. But the sword was in the girls hands. That is to say C Are you his disciple? The disciple of the kingdoms biggest idiot. She was undoubtedly intersted. There was no way she couldnt be. A disciple of Callius, the only one who had dealt her a defeat C she had a desire to experience the girls swordsmanship a little more. She looked like she was about twelve years old. As soon as she realized that the sword of such a young girl was quite terrifying, Esthers feelings surged with a tide of strange and bold curiosity. You seem unwilling to answer. It was sad, but Esther decided to keep her mouth shut. First of all, this brat was Callius disciple. She wanted to see more of her skills. And if the girl ended up learning something from a duel with herself, that wasnt a bad thing either. Come, Callius disciple. When she said that with a light smile, the girls eyes changed completely. You are Dads enemy? A burning glare that shouldnt have come from a child stabbed at Esther. However, not that aura, Esther was more shocked at something else. Dad? Who would call that piece of trash, Dad? Chapter 93 At the Valentine County. Arpen mustve been attacked by now. That bastards pride is through the roof, after all. Its easy to rile that idiot up as long as you poke at that bloodline hes so overly proud of, so he probably got beaten to the ground fairly easily. There, Count Valentine, and the viscounts as well as the barons beneath him had gathered. Most were angry, but some were terrified. Why had they gathered here with such unsightly faces? Naturally, because of the Sixth Inquisitorial Squad. Or more specifically, its captain, Callius von Jervain. To think a damned child would cut off a noblemans head so casually. Does this make sense Shouldnt all the nobles in the country stand up in protest? No matter how noble his station, such bloody behaviour Thats its those royalists, theyre defending him. Theres also the neutral faction who havent taken a stance, so It was true that Callius actions were radical. However, the defence of the royal faction and the waterproof evidence perfectly compensated for that. How can they block us isnt this only benefitting the royal family? If all of us aristocrats united in protest, can they still! Thats true. Really, were also doing what were doing to help the country, its just that we might step on the toes of the law a little here and there in the process. Right? Were just working together and trying to find a way to survive, isnt it too harsh to treat us this way? All the nobles seated together nodded in unison. The idea that everything went when it came to working for the country was the foundation of their argument. The law was just that, a lifeless pile of rules and regulations. There were things far more important than the law, wherever one looked. Anyway, it was inevitable that things were going to turn out badly. Yeah, thats why we got together like this, isnt it? When the discussions came to a pause, all the eyes focused on the count, who was sitting quietly at the head of the table. The lord of Valentine County. Count Hogelten de Valentine. Sir, he wont be able to barge in here, will he? Callius means was simple and straightforward. Take the initiative to attack and capture the nobles, and then find evidence of their crimes with the Judgment Sword. Thats why even the so-called Judge would be powerless if he couldnt break through the blockade and reach the ones gathered here. Thats why theres such a tight perimeter. If he wants to find a place to die, he can naturally come, but as long as he doesnt, he wont come here easily. The counts garrison has more than a thousand troops. Among them, there are over three hundred knights, so what chance does he have? And one more thing. The Golden Lion is here. No matter how crazy he might be, if he considers his own life precious, he wont dare to come. You live up to your name, Count Valentine. You even called in Ruydrens young lion. I, Allen, am deeply moved! The leader of the Golden Lion Knights of the South. Golden Lion Ruen. He was here, so even that crazy idiot would know to avoid this place. The Golden Lion, one of the Five Stars said to be infinitely close to the ranks of the Masters. Even the Wolf of Jervain must be afraid of the Golden Lion. Even if he managed to deal with Viscount Arpen, hell have to stop there. So. Its time for us to change our attitude and think offensively. Attitude That was then. A messenger came running. S-, sir! What. A man who calls himself Count Jervain has arrived at the county! ! Most of the nobles, whod been drinking tea with a relaxed attitude, jumped up like they were having a seizure. Others spewed tea from their mouths, or coughed and sputtered. To them, one and all, Callius was nothing less than the grim reaper. Have you seen such a madman? How dare he come here What did that bastard say? He asked us to serve him a meal. That shameless! What are we going to do? We must not meet. That guy He had the Judgment Sword. If he suddenly pointed his sword and tried to judge a lie, they wouldnt be able to stop him. Exercising the right to remain silent would be nothing but proof of ones own corruption. While they thought about it Why dont you make him come in? Golden Lion Commander. He was a handsome man with short blonde hair and a tall stature. The light armour he was wearing had a lion pattern drawn on it. The knight-commander of the Golden Lion Knights, and a member of the highest noble of the South. The eldest son of the Ruydren family. A talented man who occupied the last place among the Five Stars. Ruen von Ruydren. It looks like hes come here for a fight. So, wouldnt it be fine to bring him in here? Instead of rushing in with all the inquisitors, coming here to meet? In the face of a thousand enemy soldiers and even the Golden Lion? As Count Valentines expression trembled, the Golden Lion smiled and spoke. I wanted to meet him someday, so this is a good opportunity. BoooomC The strong gates to the counts compound opened with a loud roar. Come this way. Alright. Callius drove his horse following the soldiers guidance. Lieutenant Diego, inching closer to him, asked cautiously. Is this really okay? Its like going into a tigers den If youre scared, just scram. And give up your position. Cant I worry about you? Oh? Callius pondered. What kind of guts did this guy have, that he dared to bullshit at his superiors like this? Did he really not understand that even if Callius hands accidentally slipped during a spar and took his life, nothing would happen? W-, what! What is it?! Contrary to that loud tone, the mans eyes trembled a little, probably from fear as Callius kept staring at him in silence. Right. This was the type of person who knew better than anyone that he was being silly. That underlying hostility had to be due to the fate of the original captain, Druma. Druma did a better job with his subordinates than I expected. With the thought that it might be good to hear the story of Diego and Druma sometime, Callius moved his eyes forward and calmly answered Diegos curiosity. It doesnt matter. They wont do any harm to me. How are you so sure? The reason I didnt attack the count is not because there are a lot of troops stationed there. According to the scout who came to reconnaissance, the Golden Lion Knights are stationed here. Golden Lion! At the phrase Golden Lion Knights, Lieutenant Diego and the rest of the small group who were all from the sixth squad were astonished. Who were the strongest knights in the kingdom? If this question had to be discussed, one couldnt do without bringing up the Golden Lion Knights. And the Golden Lion himself, Ruen von Ruydren, who was the leader of them, was from one of the four great noble families, belonging to the Suth. He was the eldest son of the Ruydren family. The eldest son of the North and the eldest son of the South. This would become a meeting of men who would later become the masters of the North and the South as time passed. If the Golden Lion is attached to Valentine, wouldnt it be better to run away? Did all my words go into one ear and out the other? You understand even less than Bruns. No, that servant and me Diego grumbled as if displeased. Bruns also rolled his eyes. The two didnt seem to get along well. If the Golden Lion is involved, we cant attack Valentine, but he wont dare rush at us either. In general, the Golden Lion was known for his just and manly demeanour. Callius didnt know why the Golden Lion was here, but there was nothing for him to be afraid of, since this meeting definitely wouldnt be a trap. Rather C If its the Golden Lion whos positioned as the last of the Five Stars, theres nothing wrong with meeting him at least once. Itd be an unexpected pleasure instead. He was mainly guarding the far away border of the South, but now that hed personally come this far, as long as Callius could meet him and exchange the realizations of their respective swordsmanship, what was this if not a golden opportunity? Callius was stuck at a wall right now, so maybe the other party could help. Besides, Count Valentine might be up to something, scheming against him somehow. The odds are about half. Count Valentine was a typical villain character, so he was prone to committing evil deeds accordingly. The problem was that his plans werent clear. Because there were several possible routes. It was better to go inside and catch him in person. The moment he caught the trail of evil, the Golden Lion would come to Callius side. Lets go. After riding a horse for a while, a magnificent mansion appeared. Almost like a castle. The knights under the count, who were gathered in front, split left and right to make way for them. As the counts, viscounts, and barons knights gathered together to welcome the sixth squad, it was truly a spectacular sight. I dont know if its a welcome or a demonstration. It was like going through the jaws of a tiger, and it birthed a chill along the spine. At the end of the path, stood an old man with a strong physique, along with a line of people behind him, as well as a man with hair like the sun at the edge of the group. He had to be the Golden Lion. Welcome, Young Wolf. Count Valentine. Beside him were some of the viscounts and the barons. The count said something, but all of Callius attention was focused on the Golden Lion. The youngest knight-commander and the youngest hopeful to rise to become a Master, the knight who occupied the end position of the Five Stars. If one ignored the five Masters, he was one of the five strongest knights in Carpe. Golden Lion Ruen. Ruen von Ruydren. Callius immediately approached the Golden Lion and put his hand out. Nice to meet you, Golden Lion. Nice to meet you. Count Jervain. What How rude. Ignoring Count Valentine and shaking hands with the Golden Lion right away naturally gave birth to whispers and cursing from the audience. Count Valentine, who was uncomfortable in his heart, grunted. Did you come as the leader of the Sixth Inquisitorial Squad? Or as a count? First of all, I came here as a count. Right. Then come in. Youve come a long way, so I should treat you to some tea. After a while. As Callius sat down at a large round table inside the mansion, he scanned the faces of all the nobles who were seated. There was no face that he remembered. As he sat down, the lieutenant continued standing like a guard, but Callius didnt pay him any attention. Soon a maid came to fill his teacup. Steam gushed out of the teas surface, but Callius didnt touch it. Dont you like the taste? I have no idea. I prefer alcohol. Looking for alcohol as soon as you arrive C dont you think youre being too rude to the count? Its ruder for a viscount to butt in. Shut your mouth. Hey, you! The nameless viscount was flushed and trembling, and the rest of the nobles didnt dare to speak up freely either. As Callius said, his rank was a count, but he was special even among those, because he was not an ordinary count. The meaning behind being a count of the four noble houses was different. Even a marquis, although technically above a counts rank, couldnt talk to him recklessly. Because the four noble houses were no different from small independent countries that guarded and commanded a region within Carpe. The rumours werent exaggerated. Is this why they used to call him crazy? Even so, it was an implicit rule for nobles to be respectful to each other. But Callius still openly trampled on others by using his rank, and the nobles could only stare at him with unhappy faces. Callius took a glance at the cooling tea, then pretended to put his hand inside his cloak and took out the box from the subspace. Bump. When the box was put down on the round table, the nobles eyes were full of doubt. What is this? A gift. The word gift, made a few nobles frown. Because a bloody smell was permeating the air. They seemed to know what the box contained without even opening it. Most likely, it was Arpens severed head. I punished him for being one of the carrion insects gnawing at Carpes flesh. He even dared order my assassination. It turned out that this wasnt his first or second time doing something like this, so I had him summarily executed. Gulp. Arpen was a noble family with a storied history. The viscount had amassed wealth in his own way, and he mustve had a strong army, but Callius said it casually, as if hed just happened to catch a little thief along the way. A silence began to envelop the crowd, as if they were feeling overwhelmed. Seeing those indifferent gray eyes made even the innocent ones feel numb. No matter what is the reason, its rude to behead a nobleman ignoring the laws of the country. Her Majesty would be quite sad if she knew about this. While no one was able to speak, Count Valentine answered calmly. He glanced at the box containing Arpens head and quickly closed it as if it was an unlucky sight. My actions were on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. Besides, there was also a personal grudge. He dared send an assassin after me, how could I stand still after that? You can even consider this an internal battle for territory if you like. If the circumstances are clear and the evidence is indisputable, then its not a big deal. The attitude of the golden lion, who only folded his arms and nodded, made the angry nobles hesitate for a moment. Count Jervain. I am well aware that such an event has perspired. But, what does that have to do with this visit of yours to my estate? You can guess why. Despite Callius apparently evading the question, Count Valentines expression was stern. Thats true But if Id been in your position, Count Jervain, I wouldnt have chosen to come here. Why? Arpen probably didnt instigate your assassination by himself. He wasnt that infRuential, nor did he have such a deep resentment towards you. Callius smirked. So, what youre saying, Count, is that several people mustve planned it together, but they hid themselves. Right. And if so, Count, surely the rest of the accomplices would prepare to take the actions they need to in order to survive. For example? Like erasing everybody around you. So C It might be better for you go back and wait. Of course, by this point, it may already be too late. Valentine laughed softly. When Callius looked around, the rest of the nobles were also holding malicious smiles. Seeing this, Callius couldnt help but laugh. Why are you laughing? I wonder if you could elaborate a little further? Its just a guess. An estimate. But I think its an unnecessary worry. Im not a crazy idiot wholl fall for such measures, Ive prepared in advance. What was this crazy idiot saying now? Count, your worries are probably of little consequence. Since Ive got a good relationship with my superior officer. He often visits my place. A good relationship? What do you Count Valentines face suddenly began to stiffen. Callius von Jervain. Captain of the Heretic Inquisition of Carpe. Only one person could be called his superior officer. No way? At that place. Because Genos, the leader of the Heretic Inquisition himself, lay there in wait C So theres really no need to worry.